BRAKES Synonyms: 82 Similar and Opposite Words

brakes 1 of 2

noun

plural of brake

as in bushes

a thick patch of shrubbery, small trees, or underbrush built a small shelter in the brake to watch for deer

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

brakes

2 of 2

verb

present tense third-person singular of brake

as in slows

to cause to move or proceed at a less rapid pace braked the car sharply when someone pulled out in front of us

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

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.

Recent Examples of brakes

Noun

Nor did Governor Shin Hyun Song rule out another tap of the brakes in the months ahead. — William Pesek, Forbes.com, 31 Aug. 2026 Is this the moment to hit the brakes, in response to an obviously flawed inflation measure? — George Calhoun, Fortune, 29 Aug. 2026 Ecopsychologists have shown that the practice of gratitude puts brakes on hyper-consumption. — CBS News, 23 Aug. 2026 The derby has a few rules relating to helmets, safety training, and brakes. — Deena Prichep, NPR, 18 Aug. 2026 Features like reliable brakes and quality tires build confidence as skills progress. — ABC News, 11 Aug. 2026 That includes carbon-ceramic brakes, standard Magnetic Ride Control suspension, and even optional carbon fiber wheels, all wrapped by the widebody shape that gives the Grand Sport and Grand Sport X a more aggressive look than the base Stingray. — Tim Stevens, ArsTechnica, 4 Aug. 2026 Brake gently as needed - Brake normally if the vehicle has anti-lock brakes and pump brakes gently if in an older vehicle. — Ca Weather Bot, Sacbee.com, 15 July 2026 The Texas case made its way to the US Supreme Court, which ruled in Texas's favor in late June 2025, putting the brakes on the other cases. — Chloe Albanesius, PC Magazine, 14 July 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for brakes

Noun

Mansour persevered, turning out bright canvases of olive groves and peasants that brought to mind his former home and were well received.

— News Desk, Artforum, 28 Aug. 2026
The rest of the property is given over to landscaped Mediterranean gardens and olive and almond groves, with views toward the Tramuntana Mountains.

— Abby Montanez, Robb Report, 28 Aug. 2026

Definition of groves

Noun

Monroe County Sheriff’s Office detectives and state investigators identified the man believed to have killed two sisters from New Jersey found dead in the woods in the Florida Keys in 1973.

— David Goodhue, Miami Herald, 2 Sep. 2026
After, she was ostracized by her own community and lived the rest of her life isolated in a shack in the woods.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 2 Sep. 2026

Definition of woods

Browse Nearby Words

braked

brakes

braking

See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

Style

“Brakes.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/brakes. Accessed 5 Sep. 2026.

Copy Citation

Synonyms of brakes

noun

verb

Example Sentences

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

matriculate

Popular in Grammar & Usage

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

A List of Most Commonly Confused Words

Why do we use apostrophes to show possession?

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?

What's the difference between 'fascism' and 'socialism'?

Popular in Wordplay

The Longest Long Words List

Stay Woke

Ye Olde Nincompoop: Old-Fashioned Words for 'Stupid'

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

The Words of the Week - Sept. 4

Popular

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

The Longest Long Words List

Stay Woke

Games & Quizzes