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
There was little reason to think Emmy voters would break with precedent and vote for Colbert.
—
Steven Zeitchik, HollywoodReporter, 21 July 2025
Will the break precedent and overturn rule of law to appease him?
—The Hill Staff, The Hill, 5 June 2025
Yet, ballots were cast even during the Civil War and WWII so the MAGA crowd would have to pull a pretty big rabbit, like the Insurrection Act, out of the hat to break precedent and award Trump a third term.
—Dominic Patten, Deadline, 30 Mar. 2025
As for Abruzzo, Biden was the first to break precedent by firing her predecessor, Trump appointee Peter Robb.
—Elaine Mallon, Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government, 28 Jan. 2025
Trump and Musk have already forged close ties with figures whose politics at least partially overlap, like Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, an immigration hardliner who attended the inauguration in a break with precedent.
—Rob Picheta, CNN, 23 Jan. 2025
Indeed, Barr's decision to remain a Fed governor — which limits Trump's options in appointing a new vice chair for supervision — is in some ways more of a break with precedent.
—Neil Irwin, Axios, 7 Jan. 2025
The poll was released after the news that The Washington Post and the LA Times would break with precedent and not endorse a candidate before the 2024 presidential election.
—Gordon G. Chang, Newsweek, 31 Oct. 2024
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Steven Zeitchik, HollywoodReporter, 21 July 2025
Will the break precedent and overturn rule of law to appease him?
—The Hill Staff, The Hill, 5 June 2025
Yet, ballots were cast even during the Civil War and WWII so the MAGA crowd would have to pull a pretty big rabbit, like the Insurrection Act, out of the hat to break precedent and award Trump a third term.
—Dominic Patten, Deadline, 30 Mar. 2025
As for Abruzzo, Biden was the first to break precedent by firing her predecessor, Trump appointee Peter Robb.
—Elaine Mallon, Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government, 28 Jan. 2025
Trump and Musk have already forged close ties with figures whose politics at least partially overlap, like Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, an immigration hardliner who attended the inauguration in a break with precedent.
—Rob Picheta, CNN, 23 Jan. 2025
Indeed, Barr's decision to remain a Fed governor — which limits Trump's options in appointing a new vice chair for supervision — is in some ways more of a break with precedent.
—Neil Irwin, Axios, 7 Jan. 2025
The poll was released after the news that The Washington Post and the LA Times would break with precedent and not endorse a candidate before the 2024 presidential election.
—Gordon G. Chang, Newsweek, 31 Oct. 2024
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. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share