Synonyms for break down

verb

1. To analyze

   examine, investigate, dissect; see analyze 1.

2. To overcome

   surmount, overwhelm, conquer; see defeat 1, 2.

3. To malfunction

   fail, stop, malfunction, go out of order, falter, misfire, give out, go down, crash, cease, die, collapse, succumb, backfire, conk out*, go kaput*, go on the blink*, go on the fritz*, go haywire*, go blooey*, go kerflooey*, crack up*, curl up*, roll up*, bomb*, run out of gas*, peter out*, fizzle out*, go out of commission*, get out of gear*, get out of whack*, get out of kilter*, flake out*.