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Dictionary.com

breaking down

ADJECTIVE
decaying
Synonyms
STRONGEST
collapsing crumbling deteriorating
STRONG
decomposing disintegrating eroding oxidizing rusting spoiling
WEAK
breaking up falling to pieces in ruins wasting away wearing away
NOUN
division
Synonyms
STRONGEST
distribution
STRONG
analysis apportionment autopsy bisection breaking carving demarcation detachment diagnosis disjuncture dismemberment dissolution disunion divorce parceling parting partition reduction rupture segmentation selection severance subdivision vivisection
WEAK
breaking up contrasting cutting up departmentalizing detaching disparting disseverance distinguishing disuniting dividing rending separating splitting up
Antonyms
STRONG
attachment combination connection union
WEAK
accord agreement juncture system unification unison unity whole
NOUN
severance
Synonyms
STRONG
analysis apportionment autopsy bisection breaking carving demarcation detachment diagnosis disjunction disjuncture dismemberment dissolution distribution disunion divorce divorcement parceling parting partition reduction rupture segmentation selection separation split subdivision vivisection
WEAK
breaking up contrasting cutting up departmentalizing detaching disparting disseverance disseverment distinguishing disuniting dividing rending separating splitting up
Antonyms
STRONG
attachment closing closure combination connection juncture marriage union

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.

But today shares of Wingstop are some 60% off those highs, and the stock market’s main chicken-wing trade on Wednesday was showing more signs of breaking down.

From MarketWatch • Apr. 29, 2026

“Five minutes into his talk, I started breaking down crying. I got overwhelmed by emotions,” Wang said.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 29, 2026

Through my research into ocular disease and autophagy, a theme emerged, of normally robust immune systems quietly breaking down.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 17, 2026

The results open the door to new treatments aimed at breaking down these damaging sugars in the digestive system.

From Science Daily • Apr. 9, 2026

He advocated teaching poor as well as rich children, breaking down a subject to its elements, and a broad, liberal education along with teacher training.

From "Music and the Child" by Natalie Sarrazin