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.

Two 24-hour strikes by London Underground drivers will go ahead on Tuesday and Thursday, as talks aimed at averting the action have broken down, the BBC understands.

From BBC • Jun. 1, 2026

Protests have broken out in places including Johor Bahru, Malaysia, and Batam, Indonesia, both of which have attracted data-center investments after nearby Singapore imposed rules aimed at slowing such development.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 28, 2026

Typically more than 60% of appliance-industry demand comes from consumers replacing items under “duress,” meaning that their existing products have broken down and they have little choice but to buy new ones.

From MarketWatch • May 7, 2026

Political scientists have filled even more books with cases of governments that have broken down so much that they can’t make a decision to end a war, even if they wanted to.

From Barron's • May 1, 2026

He thought a pipe might have broken, but that couldn’t be it; the sound wasn’t right.

From "Zeitoun" by Dave Eggers