breaks crossword clue – All Crossword Answers
Welcome! If you're stuck on the "breaks" crossword clue, you've come to the right place. We provide comprehensive solutions, organized by letter count, along with helpful explanations to get you unstuck and improve your puzzle-solving skills.
Solutions for "breaks crossword clue" by Letter Count
5 Letters
SNAPS: Sudden cracks or separations, often with an audible sound.
6 Letters
CRACKS: Fractures or fissures, commonly seen on surfaces.
8 Letters
RUPTURES: Forcible bursting or tearing apart of something, often a bodily part or vessel.
9 Letters
FRACTURES: A break, especially in a bone or other hard material.
More About "breaks crossword clue"
The word "breaks" is a classic example of a crossword clue that leverages polysemy—the capacity for a word to have multiple meanings. Depending on the context, "breaks" can refer to a physical act of separating something into pieces, a pause from work or activity, the violation of a rule, or even the first light of day. This versatility makes it a challenging yet common clue for setters to use.
When encountering "breaks" in a crossword, successful solvers often consider the number of letters required and the surrounding clues or already filled-in letters to narrow down the interpretation. Is it about physical destruction? A moment of rest? A legal infraction? Understanding these nuances is key to finding the correct answer among many possibilities.
Common themes for "breaks" include: physical damage (e.g., bones, glass), interruptions (e.g., coffee, lunch), violations (e.g., rules, laws), or natural phenomena (e.g., daybreak, wave breaks).
Tips For Your Next Puzzle
- Consider Context: Always look at the surrounding words in the clue. If it's "breaks a record," you might be looking for "SMASHES." If it's "short breaks," think "PAUSES."
- Letter Count is Key: Use the given number of letters as your primary filter. This immediately eliminates many possibilities and guides your search for synonyms.
- Think Synonyms & Antonyms: Brainstorm various synonyms for "breaks" across its different meanings. Sometimes, thinking of antonyms can also spark ideas for the word itself (e.g., if 'breaks' means 'rests', then 'work' is an antonym, which might lead you to 'PAUSES').
- Check for Homographs/Homophones: While less common for "breaks," be aware that clues can sometimes trick you with words that sound or are spelled alike but have different meanings.
For more advice, visit our page on general crossword strategies.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does 'breaks' typically refer to in crossword clues?
'Breaks' in crossword clues can be highly versatile. It often refers to physical damage (like fractures, cracks, ruptures), but can also mean interruptions (pauses, intermissions), violations of rules (transgressions), or even parts of the day (daybreak). The exact meaning depends heavily on the surrounding clue words or the context of the puzzle.
How can I distinguish between similar 'break' clues?
To distinguish, pay close attention to the word count, any other words in the clue (e.g., 'bone breaks' points to FRACTURES, 'short breaks' to PAUSES), and if you have any existing letters filled in. Consider common synonyms for each interpretation of 'breaks'.
Are there common phrases with 'breaks' that appear in puzzles?
Yes, 'breaks' can be part of idiomatic expressions. Examples include 'coffee break,' 'daybreak,' 'lucky breaks,' or 'breaking news.' Such clues might require you to think of the entire phrase or a specific word within it that fits the letter count.