breakdown

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.

Hiccups could entail something as big as a train breakdown or as small as a platform door not opening.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 16, 2026

The breakdown in peace talks and prospect of a fresh escalation in hostilities sent oil prices higher Monday.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 13, 2026

Pakistani journalist Kamran Yousef - in a legion of journalists who pulled all-nighters to provide non-stop coverage with very few details - declared that this round was one of "no breakthrough but no breakdown either".

From BBC • Apr. 12, 2026

Researchers often struggle to distinguish these rare signaling molecules from the many inactive fragments created during normal protein breakdown.

From Science Daily • Apr. 12, 2026

In one of the smaller claims, an Illinois man complained that his frightened wife had a nervous breakdown and was incapacitated for a month.

From "Spooked!" by Gail Jarrow