breach of trust
Americannoun
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Law. a violation of duty by a trustee.
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a violation of duty or responsibility.
noun
Etymology
Origin of breach of trust
First recorded in 1875–80
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.
It said the investigation concerns "instigation of breach of trust, computer fraud and false attestation with the intent to obtain for another an unlawful benefit."
From Barron's • Apr. 3, 2026
“It’s a breach of trust, a betrayal, and it’s kind of hard for me to stomach at the moment.”
From Los Angeles Times • Feb. 15, 2026
Police accusations to date have been limited to suspicion of fraud, breach of trust, obstruction of justice and misuse of office by Gen. Tomer-Yerushalmi.
From The Wall Street Journal • Nov. 23, 2025
Under the California Probate Code, the most common reasons include breach of trust, insolvency, unfitness and incompetence, hostility or deadlock, excessive and/or disqualification where the trustee becomes legally barred from serving.
From MarketWatch • Nov. 11, 2025
In a curiously rambling farewell address, he accused cabinet members of a breach of trust, of ignoring him and of playing into the hands of the African National Congress.
From "Long Walk to Freedom" by Nelson Mandela
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.
