deal-breaker

noun

deal-break·​er ˈdēl-ˌbrā-kər 

variants or less commonly deal breaker or dealbreaker

plural deal-breakers also deal breakers or dealbreakers

1

: someone or something that prevents a deal or arrangement from being reached or fulfilled

That's where the other key player, Tomas Kaberle, comes in. He was a deal-breaker a few weeks ago in a potential trade between the Flyers and Toronto, when Quinn would not substitute him for the injured Danny Markov.

—Tim Panaccio

Pay attention to any signs of a DIY fix or update. This isn't necessarily a deal-breaker, but it's better to know now—when you can ask the seller about it—than after the deal is done.

—Matt Ellis

2

: a reason for rejecting someone or something

The display is disappointing but not necessarily a deal-breaker unless your job consists of editing photos and videos.

—Jason Cipriani

Overall, the biggest dealbreaker was the $290 price tag.

—Bianca Alba

Any number of women I interviewed cited clinginess in a boyfriend as a major deal breaker.

—Liza Mundy

Examples of deal-breaker in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

But as long as Lee doesn’t pull a Kenny Atkinson here, none of that is a deal-breaker. —Scott Fowler, Charlotte Observer, 9 May 2024

If this is a deal-breaker for you, check some of the others on this list. —Isabella Ubaldi, Verywell Health, 19 Apr. 2024

If this sounds like a deal-breaker to you, remember that crypto transfers come with absolutely no withdrawal fees. —Sponsored Content, The Mercury News, 9 Apr. 2024

With travel back to or at times exceeding pre-COVID levels, extra fees don’t seem to be a deal-breaker for customers. —Christopher Elliott, Forbes, 30 Mar. 2024

Nathan and Lauren, Season 1 At the start of the series, Lauren and Nathan had a real deal-breaker on their hands: Nate wanted children while Lauren didn’t. —Charlotte Walsh, Vulture, 14 Mar. 2024

Multiple environmental groups have urged Evers to veto the legislation, saying the limits on DNR enforcement are a deal-breaker. —Todd Richmond, Quartz, 27 Feb. 2024

The unforeseen costs are not a deal-breaker for St. Augustine Preparatory Academy, known as Aug Prep, which is heavily funded by the Ramirez Family Foundation. —Rory Linnane, Journal Sentinel, 27 Feb. 2024

That’s not necessarily a deal-breaker, but the Cubs aren’t in a position of desperation. —Daniel R. Epstein, Forbes, 13 Feb. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1965, in the meaning defined at sense 1