break with
Britishverb
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Separate from, sever relations with. For example, On this issue the prime minister was forced to break with his cabinet . [Late 1500s] Also see break off , def. 2 and 3.
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Depart from, reject, as in The couple broke with tradition and decided to write their own marriage vows . [Late 1800s]
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.
And the big question is whether he will step away from the Fed, or break with tradition and stay on.
From Barron's • Apr. 28, 2026
Were the Iran war to turn out a complete and unqualified success, that would represent the sharpest imaginable break with the American tradition in foreign policy.
From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 26, 2026
He already missed four games before the All-Star break with the same injury, but the Lakers withheld expectations on his status for the final five regular-season games.
From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 3, 2026
Tottenham will resume their league campaign after the international break with a trip to 11th-placed Sunderland on 12 April.
From BBC • Mar. 29, 2026
A complete break with the traditions of this country.'
From "The Remains of the Day" by Kazuo Ishiguro
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.
