break
18 synonyms and 7 antonyms for break, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Verb — To separate something into pieces by force, often suddenly.
Synonyms
Everyday swaps
Common words most readers know — safe in any writing.
Less common
Still standard English, but they carry more weight.
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
Antonyms
How to use break
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
Etymology
From Old English brecan ("to break"), an ancient Germanic word related to Latin frangere — the root behind English words like fracture and fragment.
Full origin of break →Frequently asked questions
What does “break” mean?
The word “break” means to separate something into pieces by force, often suddenly. In plain terms, one of English's most flexible verbs — covering fracturing, malfunctioning, interrupting, and violating rules — plus a noun for a pause or gap.
How do you pronounce “break”?
“Break” is pronounced brayk (/bɹeɪk/ in IPA).
How do you use “break” in a sentence?
Here is “break” used in a sentence: “Let's take a fifteen-minute break before the next session.”
What is another word for “break”?
Words with a similar meaning to “break” include burst, bust, shatter, shear, smash and split.
What is the opposite of “break”?
The opposite of “break” — its antonyms — are assemble, fix, join, mend and put together.
What part of speech is “break”?
Depending on how it is used, “break” can be a verb and a noun.
Where does the word “break” come from?
The word “break” comes from Latin. From Old English brecan ("to break"), an ancient Germanic word related to Latin frangere — the root behind English words like fracture and fragment.
Is “break” a common word?
“Break” is a very common word in modern English, usually learned at around the A1 level.
What is the difference between break and brake?
Break and brake sound identical but differ in meaning. Break is a verb meaning to separate into pieces, or a noun for a pause. Brake refers to the device that slows or stops a vehicle, and the act of using it. You break a glass, but you brake to stop a car. Only 'brake' involves stopping.
What are the different meanings of break?
Break has many senses beyond shattering. It can mean to pause, as in a coffee break; to stop working, like a broken phone; to disobey, as in breaking a rule; or to interrupt, such as breaking the silence. The common idea running through them is a sudden separation, stop, or change.
What is the past tense of break?
Break is irregular. Its simple past tense is 'broke' — 'she broke the plate yesterday'. The past participle is 'broken', used with have or be, as in 'the plate has broken'. A common mistake is saying 'breaked', which is incorrect. The three principal forms are break, broke, and broken.
What is the opposite of break?
The opposite depends on the sense. When break means to shatter, the opposites are fix, mend, or repair. When it means to stop working, the opposite is to function or work. When it means to pause, the opposite is to continue. In each case, break marks a disruption that its opposite undoes.