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Synonyms

breach of contract

American  

noun

  1. unexcused failure to fulfill one's duties under a contract.

breach of contract Cultural  

  1. Failure to live up to the terms of a contract. The failure may provoke a lawsuit, in which an aggrieved party asks a court to award financial compensation for the loss brought about by the breach.

Etymology

Origin of breach of contract

First recorded in 1825–35

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

The family is suing the company for breach of contract, negligence, infliction of emotional distress and violation of the California Health and Safety Code.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 16, 2026

MSC said its decision "reflects the exceptional nature of the current circumstances" and "does not constitute a breach of contract".

From Barron's • Mar. 9, 2026

But when buyers cancel after the contingencies are satisfied, that may constitute a breach of contract.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jan. 6, 2026

Kruse and Fialko, meanwhile, are suing Presley for fraud and breach of contract.

From Los Angeles Times • Dec. 18, 2025

“Regardless of how you feel about the rules, with this breach of contract, the challenge is terminated immediately.”

From "Millionaires for the Month" by Stacey McAnulty

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.