Synonyms for breakdown
Most common
All synonyms
Noun
1. Decomposition
Other
collapse, crash, downfall, drop, percussion break, dislocation, partitioning
Definitions
- n. 1
A failure, particularly one which is mechanical in nature.
Whenever he was behind the wheel, he would panic at the first sign of a breakdown.
Related words
Forms
- Plural
- breakdowns → decompositions, putrefactions, rots, rottings…
Example sentences
- rot Put the meat in the refrigerator, or it will rot.
- rotting There's a smell of rotting flesh in Tom's bathroom.
- decomposition The smell of decomposition was almost debilitating.
- putrefaction What's the difference between fermentation and putrefaction?
- drop Why don't you drop in for tea at your convenience?
- collapse We can't stay here. The roof is about to collapse!
Popularity over time
| Word | 1850 → 2019 | Trend |
|---|---|---|
| breakdown | falling | |
| rot | falling | |
| rotting | rising | |
| decomposition | falling | |
| putrefaction | steady | |
| drop | steady |
Use in printed books, per decade from 1850 to 2019.
By length
- 3 letters
- rot1
- 4 letters
- drop1
- 5 letters
- crash1
- 7 letters
- rotting2
- 8 letters
- collapse2, downfall2
- 11 letters
- dislocation4
- 12 letters
- partitioning4, putrefaction
- 13 letters
- decomposition5
The small number after each word is its number of syllables (rotting2 = 2 syllables).