break
verb (used with object)
to smash, split, or divide into parts violently; reduce to pieces or fragments.
have been breaking
-
present perfect progressiveof break.present perfect progressive
Used to describe an action that began in the past, has continued continuously, and is still in progress.
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.
Bears, who can weigh up to half a ton and outrun humans, have been breaking into homes looking for food, nosing around schools and rampaging through supermarkets.
From Barron's ● Dec. 26, 2025
Playwrights have been breaking the fourth wall ever since that invisible barrier separating the actors from the audience was raised.
From Los Angeles Times ● Dec. 8, 2025
The move comes after the campaign group said the UK's biggest supermarket could have been breaking the law over how it displayed Clubcard prices, making it tough for shoppers to compare deals.
From BBC ● Feb. 20, 2024
To fully appreciate the workings of this important relationship and its global implications, researchers have been breaking it down into its components driven by ecology and evolution.
From Science Daily ● Feb. 15, 2024
She was typing away, and her fingers must have been breaking land-speed records.
From "Liar, Liar" by Gary Paulsen
