Break down
Break down verb - To stop functioning.
Usage example: the computer finally broke down and had to be replaced
Fail is a synonym for break down in result topic. In some cases you can use "Fail" instead a verb "Break down", when it comes to topics like die, wither, take on water and sink, to malfunction. popular alternative
Fail
Fail verb - To stop functioning.
Usage example: my video camera failed just as I was about to shoot the big moment
Break down is a synonym for fail in be unsuccessful topic. You can use "Break down" instead a verb "Fail", if it concerns topics such as result, die, take on water and sink, thrive. popular alternative
Mutual synonyms
Both terms in one sentence
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You'll have to put up with vicious monsters, security drones, lasers, harsh weather, and terrors beyond scientifical scope.As if that wasn't enough, various parts of your spaceship, due to being made cheap, can randomly break down and fail.
- If you critically fail, negotiations break down and the dealer's gang attacks you.
Source: Death-or-Glory Attack -
As in, not only will spells that grant flight fail to work on them, flying machines will spontaneously break down if a duck or a keet tries to board it.
Source: Tabletop Game / RuneQuest
Cite this Source
Fail and Break down. (2016). Retrieved 2026, July 21, from https://thesaurus.plus/related/break_down/fail
Break down & Fail. N.p., 2016. Web. 21 Jul. 2026. <https://thesaurus.plus/related/break_down/fail>.
Fail or Break down. 2016. Accessed July 21, 2026. https://thesaurus.plus/related/break_down/fail.
Google Ngram Viewer shows how "break down" and "fail" have occurred on timeline