deal breaker
noun
an aspect, condition, or item that would not be accepted by a party to a business transaction or political deal.
deal breakers
-
pluralof deal breaker.plural
The grammatical form denoting more than one person, place, thing, or idea.
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.
He assumed that these conditions were deal breakers.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Mar. 25, 2026
These "gaffes" were considered deal breakers and no matter how hard they tried to show off their skills at mingling with ordinary voters, they were given no quarter.
From Salon ● May 16, 2025
Sometimes I spotted these deal breakers only after we’d matched.
From Slate ● Mar. 2, 2023
But noticeably absent from this season is talk of politics or science, a notable omission at a time when both topics have emerged as lightning rods in the social discourse and as dating deal breakers.
From Los Angeles Times ● Feb. 11, 2022
Take stock of what’s important to you — things like restaurants, networking, walkability or outdoor activities — and identify your deal breakers.
From Seattle Times ● Dec. 28, 2021
