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Definitions

break down

VERB
act up (malfunction)
Synonyms
WEAK
break conk out fail function go on the blink improperly jam malfunction not work stall stop running
Antonyms
WEAK
function properly
VERB
anatomize
Synonyms
STRONG
dissect evaluate examine inspect investigate scrutinize
WEAK
lay bare think through
Antonyms
STRONG
ignore
VERB
choke up
Synonyms
WEAK
become speechless cry weep
VERB
clarify
Synonyms
STRONGEST
analyze clear up define formulate interpret resolve simplify spell out
STRONG
delineate elucidate illuminate illustrate settle
WEAK
draw a picture make perfectly clear make plain shed light on straighten out throw light on
Antonyms
STRONGEST
complicate confuse question
STRONG
mix up obscure
WEAK
dirty muddle muddy
VERB
classify
Synonyms
STRONGEST
allocate analyze arrange distribute divide label organize segregate
STRONG
allot alphabetize assort brand catalogue class codify collocate coordinate correlate dispose distinguish docket embody file grade group incorporate index match name number order peg pigeonhole range rank rate regiment size sort systematize tabulate tag ticket type typecast
WEAK
button down put away put down as put down for rank out size up tab take one's measure
Antonyms
STRONGEST
collect combine disarrange disorder disorganize gather hold join keep maintain unite
STRONG
disallow disintegrate estimate exclude guess mix up scatter
VERB
come unglued
Synonyms
WEAK
come apart at the seams come unstuck come unwrapped disintegrate fall apart fall to bits fall to pieces go to pieces malfunction
VERB
crack
Synonyms
STRONGEST
collapse flip
STRONG
succumb yield
WEAK
become deranged become insane blow one's mind blow up bug out give way go bonkers go crazy go to pieces lose it
Antonyms
WEAK
be calm
VERB
crumple
Synonyms
STRONGEST
buckle crush scrunch
STRONG
collapse crease crimp crinkle fall fold pucker ruck rumple screw shrivel wad wrinkle
WEAK
cave in crimple give way go to pieces rimple
Antonyms
STRONG
flatten rise smooth straighten
VERB
cry
Synonyms
STRONGEST
bawl blubber boohoo grieve groan howl moan mourn sob wail weep
STRONG
bemoan bewail blub caterwaul keen lament snivel sorrow squall yowl
WEAK
burst into tears choke up dissolve in tears let go let it all out mewl shed bitter tears shed tears sigh turn on waterworks whimper whine
Antonyms
STRONGEST
laugh
STRONG
be happy crack up delight rejoice
VERB
decipher
Synonyms
STRONGEST
analyze decode deduce elucidate interpret solve translate unravel
STRONG
break cipher construe crack disentangle encipher explain expound read render reveal spell unfold
WEAK
bring out dope out find the key make clear make out puzzle out unriddle
Antonyms
STRONG
conceal confuse fix hide mend obscure suppress
WEAK
code encode scramble
VERB
decompose
Synonyms
STRONGEST
disintegrate dissolve
STRONG
anatomize atomize dissect distill resolve separate
WEAK
break up decompound
Antonyms
STRONGEST
unite
STRONG
join
WEAK
combine develop grow improve put together
VERB
decompose
Synonyms
STRONGEST
decay disintegrate dissolve fall apart molder
STRONG
crumble fester putrefy spoil taint turn
WEAK
putresce
Antonyms
STRONGEST
unite
WEAK
combine develop grow improve join put together
VERB
destroy
Synonyms
STRONGEST
consume crush damage dismantle end eradicate gut impair kill maim ravage raze ruin sabotage shatter smash smash-up wipe out wreck
STRONG
abort annihilate annul axe butcher cream deface desolate despoil dispatch erase exterminate extinguish extirpate level liquidate mar maraud mutilate nuke nullify overturn quash quell ravish slay suppress torpedo total trash vaporize waste wax zap
WEAK
blot out lay waste snuff out spoliate stamp out swallow up tear down
Antonyms
STRONGEST
aid assist bear begin build construct create fix give birth help lose mend repair start
STRONG
improve keep preserve retain save validate
WEAK
restore
VERB
die
Synonyms
STRONGEST
deteriorate disappear end expire fail fall pass stop vanish
STRONG
abate bate crumble decay decline degenerate dilapidate diminish droop ebb fade halt lapse moderate molder rankle recede retrograde rot sink slacken subside wane weaken wilt
WEAK
ease off fade away fade out fizzle out go bad go downhill let up lose power melt away peter out run down run low run out wear away
Antonyms
STRONGEST
advance appear arrive bear begin commence reach start win
STRONG
build continue develop enhance enlarge extend flourish forge forward grow improve increase prolong rise strengthen
WEAK
be born live
VERB
disintegrate
Synonyms
STRONGEST
break up come apart crumble decay decompose degenerate descend disband dismantle rot sever shatter sink splinter wash out wither
STRONG
atomize decline deliquesce detach dilapidate disconnect disorganize disperse disunite divide molder pulverize putrefy separate spoil taint turn worsen
WEAK
break apart disimprove fade away fall to pieces take apart turn to dust wash away
Antonyms
STRONGEST
build combine develop fix flourish grow improve increase join mend put together rise strengthen unite
STRONG
attach collect connect couple gather link
WEAK
meld
VERB
dismantle
Synonyms
STRONGEST
break up demolish destroy disassemble raze undo wreck
STRONG
annihilate bankrupt bare decimate denudate denude deprive dismember dismount disrobe divest fell level ruin strike strip subvert wrack
WEAK
knock down part out pull down take down take to pieces tear down unrig
Antonyms
STRONGEST
build construct create repair restore
STRONG
clothe cover
WEAK
assemble combine put together raise
VERB
disorganize
Synonyms
STRONGEST
demobilize derange misplace muddle perturb unsettle
STRONG
clutter complicate confound confuse destroy disarrange disarray disband discompose dishevel dislocate disorder disperse disturb embroil jumble litter mislay scatter scramble shuffle toss upset
WEAK
break up discreate mess up put out of order turn topsy-turvy
Antonyms
STRONGEST
calm order
STRONG
arrange clarify clean up clear up collect enlighten explain gather neaten organize soothe tidy
WEAK
compose plan systematize
VERB
dissect
Synonyms
STRONGEST
examine explore inspect investigate scrutinize
STRONG
anatomize decompose resolve study
WEAK
decompound inquire about
Antonyms
STRONGEST
ignore
WEAK
connect join mend sew
VERB
dissolve
Synonyms
STRONGEST
break up crumble disband disperse dissipate evaporate fade separate vanish
STRONG
decline decompose diffuse dilapidate dwindle evanesce perish unmake
WEAK
break into pieces melt away waste away
Antonyms
STRONGEST
appear collect gather
STRONG
develop grow improve increase
WEAK
assemble coagulate concentrate continue integrate marry put together resolve solidify unite unmix
VERB
divide
Synonyms
STRONGEST
break carve cut isolate partition segregate split subdivide tear
STRONG
bisect branch chop cleave cross demarcate detach dichotomize disengage disentangle disjoin dislocate dismember dissect dissever dissociate dissolve disunite divorce halve intersect loose part quarter rend rupture section segment sever shear sunder unbind undo
WEAK
abscind cut up pull away
Antonyms
STRONGEST
attach combine fix join mend stay unite wait
STRONG
associate close connect fasten marry
WEAK
agree append collect convince couple disarrange disorganize gather hold keep link maintain persuade retain
VERB
explain
Synonyms
STRONGEST
analyze clarify define demonstrate describe disclose expound illustrate interpret justify point out read resolve reveal solve spell out tell
STRONG
annotate construe decipher diagram elucidate excuse explicate manifest paraphrase rationalize refine render teach translate unfold unravel untangle
WEAK
account for bring out clear up get across go into detail make plain put across put in plain English set right throw light upon
Antonyms
STRONGEST
conceal confuse distort hide misrepresent misunderstand question wonder
STRONG
cloud mystify obscure stagnate tangle withhold
WEAK
be vague complicate perplex
VERB
fail
Synonyms
STRONGEST
decline fall
STRONG
abort backslide blunder deteriorate fizzle flop flounder fold founder miscarry miss slip
WEAK
back wrong horse be defeated be demoted be found lacking be in vain be ruined come to naught come to nothing fall flat fall short fall through go astray go down go down swinging go downhill go up in smoke go wrong hit bottom hit the skids lose control lose out lose status meet with disaster miss the boat play into run aground turn out badly
Antonyms
STRONGEST
ascend go up rise
STRONG
accomplish achieve build correct develop do well succeed
WEAK
capture complete deliver earn finish gain merit obtain procure prosper reach win
VERB
fall
Synonyms
STRONGEST
collapse crash decline decrease depreciate diminish dip dive dwindle ease go down land plummet plunge settle sink slip slump stumble tumble
STRONG
abate backslide buckle cascade drag droop ebb flag flop gravitate lapse lessen pitch recede regress relapse slope spin subside topple totter trail trip wane
WEAK
be precipitated cave in drop down fold up hit the dirt keel over nose-dive take a header tip over
Antonyms
STRONGEST
ascend climb go up raise rise scale
STRONG
develop enlarge expand extend grow increase
VERB
fall apart
Synonyms
STRONGEST
collapse crumble
WEAK
break crack up go to pieces
Antonyms
STRONGEST
build
VERB
founder
Synonyms
STRONGEST
abort fall through stumble
STRONG
collapse fall lurch miscarry misfire sink sprawl stagger submerge submerse trip
WEAK
be lost come to nothing go down go lame go to bottom
Antonyms
STRONG
increase rise
WEAK
accomplish achieve succeed
VERB
fragmentize
Synonyms
STRONG
crumble dissolve disunite divide fragment separate shatter splinter split
WEAK
break apart break up split up
Antonyms
STRONG
combine fix join marry mend put together unite
VERB
freak out
Synonyms
STRONGEST
go crazy lose it
WEAK
blow a gasket blow one's mind blow one's stack blow one's top come unglued crack up flip one's lid flip out fly off the handle go ape go ballistic go bananas go berserk go haywire go nuts go off the deep end hit the ceiling lose control of oneself lose one's composure lose one's cool lose one's mind lose one's temper wig out work oneself up
VERB
inculcate
Synonyms
STRONGEST
impart indoctrinate instill
STRONG
brainwash communicate drill educate impress inseminate instruct plant program teach
WEAK
drum into hammer into shape up work over
Antonyms
STRONG
learn neglect
VERB
indoctrinate
Synonyms
STRONGEST
imbue inculcate instill
STRONG
convince drill ground implant influence initiate instruct plant program school teach train
WEAK
work over
Antonyms
STRONG
forget learn neglect
WEAK
leave alone
VERB
miscarry
Synonyms
STRONGEST
abort fall through
STRONG
backslide blunder decline deteriorate fall fizzle flop flounder fold founder misfire miss
WEAK
back wrong horse be defeated be demoted be found lacking be in vain be ruined come to naught come to nothing fall flat fall short go astray go down go down swinging go downhill go up in smoke go wrong hit bottom hit the skids lose control lose out lose status meet with disaster miss fire miss the boat miss the mark play into run aground turn out badly
Antonyms
STRONG
accomplish achieve ascend build correct develop do well go up improve rise succeed
VERB
misfire
Synonyms
STRONGEST
backfire fall flat fizzle flop
STRONG
abort blunder explode flounder miscarry miss slip
WEAK
come to nothing fall short fizz out fizzle out go up in smoke go wrong peter out poop out
Antonyms
STRONG
correct do well succeed
VERB
molder
Synonyms
STRONGEST
decompose
STRONG
crumble disintegrate
WEAK
waste away
VERB
perish
Synonyms
STRONGEST
cease crumble disappear disintegrate pass away rot succumb vanish wither
STRONG
collapse corrupt croak decease decompose demise depart end expire fall go pass waste
WEAK
OD be destroyed be killed be lost bite the dust buy the farm check out give up the ghost go under kick the bucket lose life pass on
Antonyms
STRONGEST
appear arrive build grow
STRONG
be born bear begin commence create improve rise start stay
WEAK
give birth revive
VERB
propagandize
Synonyms
STRONG
brainwash convince drill ground imbue implant inculcate influence initiate instill instruct plant program school teach train
WEAK
work over
Antonyms
STRONG
forget learn neglect
VERB
putrefy
Synonyms
STRONG
corrupt crumble decay decompose deteriorate disintegrate molder spoil stink taint turn
WEAK
go bad putresce
Antonyms
STRONG
build combine develop grow improve put together unite
VERB
raze
Synonyms
STRONGEST
bulldoze demolish destroy dynamite erase extinguish obliterate overthrow scatter smash topple wipe out wreck
STRONG
batter bomb capsize crash decimate delete efface expunge extirpate fell level overturn reduce remove ruin spill subvert total undo unmake upset wrack zap
WEAK
blow down cast down mow down pull down rub out scratch out strike out tear down tear up throw down unbuild
Antonyms
STRONGEST
build construct create fix repair restore
STRONG
grow place raise win
VERB
resolve
Synonyms
STRONGEST
agree answer clear up conclude deal with decide determine fix iron out propose settle solve undertake work out
STRONG
analyze anatomize break choose clinch decipher decree design dissect dissolve elect elucidate fathom figure intend lick purpose rule unfold unravel untangle unzip will work
WEAK
make a point of pan out pass upon puzzle out remain firm take a stand work through
Antonyms
STRONGEST
begin forget hesitate oppose question refuse start unsettle
STRONG
assemble fasten hide join mend put together tangle
WEAK
mull waver wonder
VERB
rot
Synonyms
STRONGEST
crumble decay decompose disintegrate languish molder perish spoil stain warp wither
STRONG
corrupt debase debauch decline degenerate demoralize deprave descend fester pervert putrefy retrograde sink taint turn worsen
WEAK
disimprove go bad go downhill go to pot waste away
Antonyms
STRONGEST
build combine develop flourish grow improve put together strengthen unite
STRONG
ascend clean cleanse go up increase moralize purify rise upgrade
VERB
simplify
Synonyms
STRONGEST
clarify cut down facilitate reduce shorten streamline
STRONG
abridge analyze chasten decipher disentangle disinvolve elucidate explain interpret order unscramble
WEAK
boil down break it down clean it up clean up clear up cut the frills draw a picture get down to basics get to the meat hit the high spots lay out let daylight in let sunlight in make clear make perfectly clear make plain put in a nutshell put one straight spell out
Antonyms
STRONGEST
grow increase
STRONG
be vague confuse mix up mystify obscure
WEAK
complicate make difficult
VERB
sob
Synonyms
STRONGEST
bawl howl wail weep whimper
STRONG
blub blubber lament snivel
WEAK
boohoo cry a river cry convulsively cry eyes out shed tears turn on waterworks
VERB
spell out
Synonyms
STRONGEST
define describe expound illustrate justify point out
WEAK
brief clear up clue in decipher decode diagram draw a map fill someone in get across go into detail interpret make plain put across put in plain English teach tell throw light upon translate unfold unravel untangle
Antonyms
STRONGEST
confuse
VERB
spoil
Synonyms
STRONGEST
taint
STRONG
addle crumble curdle decompose deteriorate disintegrate mildew molder putrefy rot turn
WEAK
become tainted become useless go bad go off
VERB
succumb
Synonyms
STRONGEST
bow buckle capitulate cave in cease defer give in give way go down pass away perish quit wilt yield
STRONG
accede cave collapse croak decease demise depart drop expire fall fold go knuckle pass submit
WEAK
eat crow fall victim to flake out give in to give out give up the ghost go under knuckle under meet waterloo pack it in show white flag take the count throw in the towel
Antonyms
STRONGEST
continue defend fight
STRONG
ascend deny refuse rise stay
WEAK
conquer overcome win
VERB
taint
Synonyms
STRONGEST
besmirch blight cloud corrupt damage discredit harm hurt infect muddy poison pollute smear spoil stain sully tar tarnish
STRONG
adulterate blacken blemish blot blur brand cook crumble cut debase decay decompose defile deprave discolor disgrace dishonor disintegrate doctor foul putrefy rot shame soil spike stigmatize trash turn water
WEAK
cast a slur crud up give a bad name water down
Antonyms
STRONGEST
aid assist benefit bless clean cleanse fix help honor improve mend purify
STRONG
beautify build clarify clear combine develop enhance esteem flourish grow praise put together respect unite upgrade
WEAK
right
VERB
turn
Synonyms
STRONG
acidify crumble curdle decay decompose disintegrate dull ferment molder putrefy rot sour spoil taint
WEAK
become rancid go bad
Antonyms
STRONG
build combine develop flourish grow improve put together unite
WEAK
make well
VERB
weep
Synonyms
STRONGEST
complain grieve howl moan mourn sob wail whimper
STRONG
bawl bemoan bewail blubber deplore drip keen lament mewl snivel squall ululate yowl
WEAK
boohoo burst into tears let go let it out shed tears
Antonyms
STRONGEST
be happy
STRONG
gloat praise
VERB
wilt
Synonyms
STRONGEST
cave in diminish droop dwindle ebb fade faint melt shrivel succumb wane wither
STRONG
collapse drop flag languish mummify sink waste weaken
WEAK
become limp dry up give out waste away wizen
Antonyms
STRONGEST
develop enlarge expand extend grow increase rise
STRONG
build strengthen
WEAK
bloom

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

The chemicals, known as PFAS, don’t break down in the environment and accumulate in the body, potentially causing health problems such as cancer and infertility.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 13, 2026

Rooney added Mikel Arteta's side must "be tough to break down, make sure there's no gaps between the lines and try to hit them on the break".

From BBC • Apr. 13, 2026

Katz noted that MCCPs share similarities with PFAS, a group of chemicals often called "forever chemicals" because they break down very slowly in the environment.

From Science Daily • Apr. 11, 2026

Shirin Ali: Can you break down the legal argument the OLC is making in its opinion over the Presidential Records Act?

From Slate • Apr. 9, 2026

He winces at the taste, but he’s working his yellow-bearded jaws until the leaf begins to break down.

From "The Inquisitor's Tale" by Adam Gidwitz