breach of the peace
noun phrase
: a charge of making a lot of noise or behaving violently in public : disorderly conduct
He was fined for committing a breach of the peace.
Examples of breach of the peace in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
His convictions include charges of breach of the peace, resisting arrest, engaging police in pursuits, narcotics possession, larceny, burglary and motor vehicle offenses.
—
Justin Muszynski, Hartford Courant, 22 Apr. 2025
In Arizona, legislators are free from arrest and questioning in all cases except for treason, felony and breach of the peace, starting 15 days before the legislature convenes and lasting throughout the session.
—arkansasonline.com, 25 Nov. 2024
The witness said her minor children were asking questions about what the subjects were doing.
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Razo and Westfield were both charged with trespassing and breach of the peace: disorderly conduct.
—Michael Dorgan, Fox News, 29 May 2024
According to the Texas Penal Code, disorderly conduct includes the making of an offensive gesture or display in a public place, and the gesture or display tends to incite an immediate breach of the peace.
—Marley Malenfant, Austin American-Statesman, 12 Feb. 2024
If the speech is a threat that incites imminent lawless action, threatens serious bodily harm, or causes an immediate breach of the peace, it could be considered unprotected, according to constitutional law advocates at the Foundation of Individual Rights and Expression (FIRE).
—Kiara Alfonseca, ABC News, 15 Dec. 2023
The First Amendment doesn’t protect words intended to cause and likely to cause an imminent breach of the peace.
—WSJ, 7 Nov. 2023
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Justin Muszynski, Hartford Courant, 22 Apr. 2025
In Arizona, legislators are free from arrest and questioning in all cases except for treason, felony and breach of the peace, starting 15 days before the legislature convenes and lasting throughout the session.
—arkansasonline.com, 25 Nov. 2024
The witness said her minor children were asking questions about what the subjects were doing.
CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP
Razo and Westfield were both charged with trespassing and breach of the peace: disorderly conduct.
—Michael Dorgan, Fox News, 29 May 2024
According to the Texas Penal Code, disorderly conduct includes the making of an offensive gesture or display in a public place, and the gesture or display tends to incite an immediate breach of the peace.
—Marley Malenfant, Austin American-Statesman, 12 Feb. 2024
If the speech is a threat that incites imminent lawless action, threatens serious bodily harm, or causes an immediate breach of the peace, it could be considered unprotected, according to constitutional law advocates at the Foundation of Individual Rights and Expression (FIRE).
—Kiara Alfonseca, ABC News, 15 Dec. 2023
The First Amendment doesn’t protect words intended to cause and likely to cause an imminent breach of the peace.
—WSJ, 7 Nov. 2023
Cite this Entry
“Breach of the peace.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/breach%20of%20the%20peace. Accessed 4 Nov. 2025.
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