break (with) precedent

idiom

somewhat formal
: to do something that has not been done before
The voters broke (with) precedent when they elected a woman to the position.

Examples of break (with) precedent in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web What new poll found A break with precedent Despite multiple assassination attempts on presidents, presidents-elect and presidential candidates throughout history, Cheatle is the only Secret Service director to resign in the wake of one, according to historians. Brendan Rascius, Miami Herald, 23 July 2024 The National Reconnaissance Office doesn't typically talk about any of its missions, but in an unusual break with precedent, the button-down spy satellite agency spoke with reporters ahead of the launch. Eric Berger, Ars Technica, 1 Sep. 2023 This was a dramatic break with precedent that, like the parallel efforts of Wolf and Barr, followed a clear pattern of these senior officials in sensitive posts tamping down the flow of information so as to enhance Trump’s political prospects. Peter Stone, The New Republic, 2 Oct. 2020 In each of the cases, McConnell has been willing to break with precedent in ways that many historians and legal scholars consider dangerous. New York Times, 10 Feb. 2022 In a break with precedent, the government ensured that even uninsured deposits will be returned. Anna Cooban, CNN, 13 Mar. 2023 During Thursday night’s town hall, Fallon criticized Pelosi’s rejection of Jordan and Banks from the Jan. 6 committee as a break with precedent. Joseph Morton, Dallas News, 12 Aug. 2022 Last year, in another break with precedent, the Fed loudly and explicitly endorsed a blowout in federal spending. Kevin Warsh, WSJ, 12 Dec. 2021

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'break (with) precedent.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Dictionary Entries Near break (with) precedent

break with

break (with) precedent

bream

Cite this Entry

“Break (with) precedent.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/break%20%28with%29%20precedent. Accessed 31 Oct. 2024.

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!