Definition of Break down

1. Verb. Make ineffective. "Martin Luther King tried to break down racial discrimination"

Exact synonyms: Crush
Generic synonyms: Alter, Change, Modify
Derivative terms: Breakdown

2. Verb. Make a mathematical, chemical, or grammatical analysis of; break down into components or essential features. "Analyze a chemical compound"
Exact synonyms: Analyse, Analyze, Dissect, Take Apart
Specialized synonyms: Parse, Botanise, Botanize
Derivative terms: Analyser, Analyst, Analyzer, Breakdown, Dissection, Dissection
Antonyms: Synthesize

3. Verb. Lose control of one's emotions. "Sam and Sue break down"; "When her baby died, she snapped"
Exact synonyms: Lose It, Snap
Generic synonyms: Act, Behave, Do
Specialized synonyms: Dissolve, Die, Fall Apart, Go To Pieces
Derivative terms: Breakdown

4. Verb. Stop operating or functioning. "These cars won't break down "; "Her eyesight went after the accident"

5. Verb. Fall apart. "The business is going to break down "; "Negotiations broke down"
Exact synonyms: Collapse, Crumble, Crumple, Tumble
Generic synonyms: Change Integrity

6. Verb. Cause to fall or collapse. "They want to break down the doors"
Generic synonyms: Break, Bust
Causes: Collapse, Crumble, Crumple, Tumble

7. Verb. Separate (substances) into constituent elements or parts.
Exact synonyms: Break Up, Decompose
Category relationships: Chemical Science, Chemistry
Specialized synonyms: Digest, Dissociate, Crack
Generic synonyms: Separate
Derivative terms: Decomposition

8. Verb. Collapse due to fatigue, an illness, or a sudden attack. "Sam and Sue break down"
Exact synonyms: Collapse
Specialized synonyms: Drop Like Flies, Fall Over, Go Over
Generic synonyms: Get, Have, Suffer, Sustain
Derivative terms: Breakdown, Collapse

Definition of Break down

1. Noun. (alternative form of breakdown) ¹

2. Verb. (intransitive) to fail, to cease to function ¹

3. Verb. (ergative figuratively) to render or to become unstable due to stress, to collapse physically or mentally ¹

4. Verb. (ergative figuratively) to render or to become weak and ineffective ¹

5. Verb. (ergative) (to cause) to decay, to decompose ¹

6. Verb. (ergative figuratively) to divide into parts to give more details, to provide a more indepth analysis of ¹

7. Verb. (ergative) to digest ¹

¹ Source: wiktionary.com

Lexicographical Neighbors of Break Down

break-in
break-ins
break-up
break a law
break a leg
break a sweat
break apart
break away
break bad
break bread
break bulk
break camp
break cover
break dance
break dancing
break down
break even
break free
break ground
break in
break into
break it down
break loose
break new ground
break of dawn
break of day
break of serve
break of the day
break off
break on the wheel

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