break open

phrasal verb

broke open; broken open; breaking open; breaks open
: to open or to cause (something) to open suddenly
The pods broke open and the seeds scattered on the wind.
The police broke open the door.
The burglars broke the locked safe open.

Examples of break open in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
If a plaque suddenly breaks open, a blood clot forms that can partially or wholly block the coronary artery, hindering blood flow to the heart and causing a heart attack. — Alicen Nelson Md, Verywell Health, 27 Mar. 2025 In the show’s first two seasons, Laura’s murder broke open a placid American town—much as a severed ear, in Lynch’s 1986 film, Blue Velvet, famously undermined middle America’s saintly image of itself. — K. Austin Collins, The Atlantic, 7 Feb. 2025 So when Ellington had broken open a close game in the fourth quarter and sailed to its 27th win in 27 games, 55-39 over Sheehan, Freitas was handed the championship plaque. — Lori Riley, Hartford Courant, 16 Mar. 2025 When gently broken open, the seed pod should easily release thousands of seeds that flow out like a light dust. — Derek Carwood, Better Homes & Gardens, 18 Feb. 2025 See All Example Sentences for break open

Rhymes for break open

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Browse Nearby Words

break (one's) stride
break open
breakout
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Cite this Entry

“Break open.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/break%20open. Accessed 3 Apr. 2025.

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