breach

Pluralbreaches

Formsbreaches, breaching, breached

1. 1
   nouncountable

   The breaking of a law, a promise, or a duty you agreed to keep.

   Like breaking a promise you made to a friend.

   The company paid a fine for a serious breach of the contract.

   Lying to the court is a breach of the rules.

   Similarviolation, infringement, contravention, infraction, transgression

   Oppositeobservance, compliance, fulfillment

   Note
2. 2
   nouncountable

   A gap or hole made in a wall or barrier by breaking or smashing it.

   Like a hole punched in a fence that lets everything through.

   Soldiers poured through the breach in the castle wall.

   Floodwater rushed through a breach in the river bank.

   Similarbreak, rupture, fissure

   Note
3. 3
   verbtransitive

   To break a law, rule, or promise that you are supposed to follow.

   Like breaking a promise you gave someone.

   Do not breach the terms of this agreement.

   The company breached its contract with the city.

   Similarviolate, break, contravene, infringe, flout

   Oppositeobey, observe, honor, uphold

4. 4
   verbtransitive

   To break a hole through a wall or barrier.

   Like making a hole in a wall big enough to step through.

   Heavy rains can breach a weak dam.

   The army breached the city walls at dawn.

   Similarbreak, penetrate, pierce, rupture, storm

5. 5
   verbintransitive

   To jump up out of the water, as a whale does.

   Like a swimmer leaping up out of a pool.

   We watched a humpback whale breach near the boat.

   The whales breach again and again in the warm bay.

   Similarleap, jump

   Note
6. 6
   nouncountable

   The end of a friendship or good relationship after a serious argument.

   Like a crack that splits two close friends apart.

   A bitter breach divided the two old friends for years.

   The argument caused a lasting breach between the brothers.

   Similarrift, rupture, split, estrangement, schism

   Oppositereconciliation

   Note
7. 7
   nouncountable

   An attack that breaks out suddenly against someone.

   And Dauid was diſpleaſed, becauſe the Lord had made a breach vpon Uzza; wherefore that place is called Perez-Uzza, to this day.

   1611, The Holy Bible, King James VersionHere, breach means a sudden attack or striking out against someone.

   Similarassault, attack, onslaught

   Note
8. 8
   nounfigurativelycountable

   A gap between people caused by different opinions or backgrounds.

   Like a wide gap between two sides who cannot agree.

   A wide breach separated the rich and poor neighborhoods.

   There was a growing breach between the two political groups.

   Similargap, gulf, divide, rift, chasm

9. 9
   nouncountable

   The act of breaking something that is not a physical object, like trust.

   Like the snapping of a bond you cannot see or touch.

   The scandal marked a clear breach of public trust.

   Many saw the decision as a breach of faith.

   Similarbreak, rupture, departure

10. 10
    nouncountable

    Water that breaks over a ship or sea wall, or the rushing water that pours over it.

    Like a wave smashing right over the side of a boat.

    A heavy breach swept across the deck during the storm.

    The breach of the waves crashed over the harbor wall.

    Similarsurge, surf

    Note

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