How to Use break-in in a Sentence

break-in

1 of 2 noun
Definition of break-innext
Synonyms for break-innext
  • The more leather in your boot, the longer the break-in period.
    — Tim Newcomb, Popular Mechanics, 22 Mar. 2023
  • Reeves’ home was also the scene of back-to-back break-ins in 2014.
    — Anthony De Leon, Los Angeles Times, 9 Dec. 2023
  • The break-in occurred in a guest house next to the couple’s main home, the sources said.
    — Richard Winton, Los Angeles Times, 5 Aug. 2024
  • In the statement, the victim wrote that one of her young children was home at the time of the break-in.
    — City News Service, San Diego Union-Tribune, 23 Aug. 2023
  • No one was home at the time of the break-in, according to the Detroit Free Press.
    — Kc Baker, Peoplemag, 12 May 2023
  • That said, the shoes do run true to size even with the longer break-in period.
    — Anna Popp, Travel + Leisure, 27 Apr. 2023
  • The fire station door was boarded up after the break-in.
    — Nollyanne Delacruz, The Mercury News, 8 Mar. 2024
  • Plus, these are comfortable right out of the box and require no break-in time.
    — Hillary Maglin, Travel + Leisure, 2 Mar. 2023
  • Police said on Thursday that have not made any arrests in the break-ins.
    — Olivia Diaz, Washington Post, 17 Feb. 2024
  • What was stole and the value of loss resulting from the break-in was not clear Tuesday.
    — Vivian Kwarm, New York Daily News, 5 Aug. 2024
  • The majority of the break-ins occurred near the 1200 block of Ebener Street.
    — Jordan Parker, San Francisco Chronicle, 25 Mar. 2023
  • However, latex can be too firm for some and can take a few weeks to break-in.
    — Jack Byram, Health, 20 Apr. 2023
  • Then there’s a break-in, and everyone assumes they’ve been stolen.
    — Michael Gorra, BostonGlobe.com, 27 July 2023
  • In the two most recent cases, the victims were home during the break-ins, Sharki said.
    — Caleb Lunetta, San Diego Union-Tribune, 23 Mar. 2023
  • The burglary call was the third break-in that morning at the business on the 400 block of Embarcadero, near 5th Avenue.
    — Jakob Rodgers, The Mercury News, 27 Feb. 2024
  • Guests are expected to park on the street (where there are plenty of spots but issues with break-ins).
    — Jacobina Martin, Washington Post, 6 Apr. 2024
  • These were comfortable right out of the box with no break-in period.
    — Barbara Bellesi Zito, Peoplemag, 14 May 2024
  • The answer, if anybody is curious, is the small cadre of Cubans arrested in the break-in.
    — Daniel Fienberg, The Hollywood Reporter, 28 Apr. 2023
  • The May incident in May was not the first time the resident encountered a bear break-in.
    — Hannah Poukish, Sacramento Bee, 28 June 2024
  • Between the financial loss and a home break-in the same year, Patel said her world collapsed around her for a time.
    — Emily Brindley, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 9 July 2024
  • Ton just met with the Denver Police Department about a break-in last month.
    — Megan Ulu-Lani Boyanton, The Denver Post, 21 May 2024
  • What to Consider There’s a break-in period while the arch supports mold to your feet.
    — Joel Balsam, Travel + Leisure, 12 Jan. 2024
  • The boots are roomy enough to add custom insoles and don’t require a break-in period thanks to the leather and mesh uppers.
    — Danny Perez, Popular Mechanics, 1 Sep. 2023
  • Hiking shoes are lighter weight, don’t take much time to break-in, are easy to pack, comfortable, and dry quickly.
    — Meg Carney, Field & Stream, 4 Jan. 2024
  • The rampant car break-ins leaving puddles of shattered glass.
    — Heather Knight Jim Wilson, New York Times, 26 Sep. 2023
  • Ephraim Hunter was charged with burglary and vandalism in connection with the April break-in.
    — Cindy Von Quednow, CNN, 24 July 2024
  • At the time of the break-in, both residents were asleep, according to Brookline police.
    — John R. Ellement, BostonGlobe.com, 18 July 2023
  • There had been a break-in at the Presidential residence; Moïse had been shot twelve times.
    — Jon Lee Anderson, The New Yorker, 17 July 2023
  • Three people have been arrested in a spate of car break-ins at a Hoover apartment complex.
    — Carol Robinson | Crobinson@al.com, al, 9 Mar. 2023
  • The cubs, who were with their mother during the break-ins, were given a thorough health assessment.
    — Eric Lagatta, USA TODAY, 11 Aug. 2023
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break in

2 of 2 verb
  • Look on the north side at the break in the anodized detailing.
    — Shelby Slade, The Arizona Republic, 12 Aug. 2024
  • The international box office will be make or break in the film’s quest to reach $2 billion.
    — Rebecca Rubin, Variety, 19 Dec. 2022
  • The judge allowed a four-day break in the trial to accommodate the schedules of defense witnesses.
    — Dallas News, 12 Dec. 2022
  • But Packers cornerback Jaire Alexander used his instincts and quickness to break in front of the throw and snatch it.
    — Dan Wiederer, Chicago Tribune, 4 Dec. 2022
  • But as Schlatter, the man who helped give Williams one of his first big breaks in show business, says, Williams was more than a comedian.
    — Tommy McArdle, Peoplemag, 11 Aug. 2024
  • Moscow will counterattack, hoping to cause disruption, panic and a break in support for Ukraine.
    — Daniel Yergin, WSJ, 26 Dec. 2022
  • With the school’s winter break in full swing, here is a summary of the McDaniel College teams through Friday.
    — Emily Hollwedel, Baltimore Sun, 17 Dec. 2022
  • Many outlooks are looking for something to break in the economy, yet the most obviously broken thing is the economic outlook itself.
    — Paul Swartz, Fortune, 12 Dec. 2022
  • But don’t think overseas is the only option for finding a bracing break in luxurious isolation, says Cari Gray.
    — Mark Ellwood, Robb Report, 31 Dec. 2022
  • At some point along the way, the giant broke in two at the knees.
    — Daniel T. Ksepka, Scientific American, 1 Dec. 2023
  • One of them is seen in the footage, running up to a guard post and breaking in.
    — Bill Hutchinson, ABC News, 12 Oct. 2023
  • Choi said the suspect jumped over a fence and broke in through the back of the residence.
    — David Zahniser, Los Angeles Times, 23 Apr. 2024
  • The petition states that Gonzalez broke in through the back door of the house.
    — Grethel Aguila, Miami Herald, 23 May 2024
  • What to Consider The leather outer will take a few wears to break in.
    — Sophie Dodd, Travel + Leisure, 19 Sep. 2023
  • Keep in mind: Mats need to be broken in and get better with use.
    — Good Housekeeping, 28 Mar. 2023
  • Witnesses told said the suspect broke in, stole the forklift and rammed through the gates.
    — Aliza Chasan, CBS News, 2 July 2023
  • But the dam breaks in the third episode and the rest of the series suffers from a serious case of biopic-itis.
    — Daniel Fienberg, The Hollywood Reporter, 31 Jan. 2024
  • News of the pair’s romance broke in summer 2021 when they were filmed making out in a car.
    — Alyssa Bailey, ELLE, 24 Mar. 2023
  • Some symptoms of the disease might include a lump in the arm, leg, chest or pelvis, or a break in a bone.
    — Gabe Hauari, USA TODAY, 13 Mar. 2024
  • Also, the new wall will be staggered, with breaks in places to allow access to the beach.
    — Phil Diehl, San Diego Union-Tribune, 6 Mar. 2024
  • What to Consider: These take a little longer to break in and can feel pinched at the toe at first.
    — Maggie Slepian, Travel + Leisure, 9 Feb. 2024
  • In the Bayeux Tapestry, the arrival of Hayley’s Comet causes a break in the frame.
    — Kelly Presutti, ARTnews.com, 2 Aug. 2024
  • But with a little extra brightness, the moon should be able to shine through any breaks in the clouds.
    — oregonlive, 30 Aug. 2023
  • Out since mid-June with a right triceps strain, Poteet is also scheduled Wednesday for another live session of more than 30 pitches with a break in between.
    — Peter Sblendorio, New York Daily News, 10 Aug. 2024
  • Who was going to tell me that these protocols will break in such a way?
    — ABC News, 7 Apr. 2024
  • Although the boots look soft, and are supple enough not to need breaking in, full-grain leather is used.
    — Bob Beacham, Field & Stream, 1 Nov. 2023
  • Confidence: Medium-High Tonight: More breaks in the clouds are a good bet during the evening and through the night.
    — Ian Livingston, Washington Post, 2 Mar. 2024
  • Madison hopes that The Playboy Murders could help lead to a break in the case, which is now more than 20 years old.
    — Liam Quinn, Peoplemag, 21 Jan. 2024
  • Look for a break in the heat waves, the first crisp morning, or the last true summer storm to give you the thumbs-up to hang a fall wreath on your front door.
    — Kate McGregor, House Beautiful, 1 Sep. 2023
  • The Huskies were up 22-7 after Spencer nailed a 3 and Jaylin Stewart broke in for a layup just over eight minutes into the game.
    — Andrew Seligman, USA TODAY, 15 Feb. 2024

Some of these examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'break-in.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

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