break the bank

VERB

advance

Synonyms

STRONGEST

boost develop grow improve raise upgrade

STRONG

elevate enlarge grade magnify multiply prefer prosper thrive up uplift

WEAK

get fat get rich hit pay dirt hit the jackpot make a killing make out pan out strike gold strike it rich

Antonyms

STRONGEST

decline decrease diminish halt hurt lessen reduce repress stop

STRONG

fail lose lower spurn

WEAK

back down hesitate recede retreat retrogress take back turn withdraw yield

VERB

hit the jackpot

Synonyms

WEAK

clean up hit the mark make a killing score strike it rich

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.

At Huntington School in York, a group of business students wanted to put an end to prohibitive pricing and make sure looking good for the celebration would not break the bank.

From BBC • May 21, 2026

The military wanted a drone that could be built quickly and in large quantities, fly far, and be cheap enough not to break the bank.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 1, 2026

And yet, the sector is still willing to break the bank for the Super Bowl—even though, time and again, we’ve already seen how this particular game plays out.

From Slate • Feb. 8, 2026

And receiver Puka Nacua is positioned to potentially break the bank with an extension.

From Los Angeles Times • Feb. 4, 2026

If he were cleaned out of his last Napoleon, one could know him readily enough; but to the fellow who can break the bank at will, archdukes and princes are the only intimates.

From One Of Them by Lever, Charles James

break the bank

Example Sentences

Related Words