breaking point

noun

Synonyms of breaking pointnext
1
: the point at which a person gives way under stress
2
: the point at which a situation becomes critical
3
: the point at which something loses force or validity
stretch the rules to the breaking point

Examples of breaking point in a Sentence

tensions between the two nations had risen to the breaking point
Recent Examples on the Web
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.
The Kansas City Royals might have reached their breaking point against the Yankees in New York on Saturday. Kansas City Star, 18 Apr. 2026 The tension between engineering and finance reached a breaking point with the 737 MAX as the company tried to compete with Airbus. John Pacenti, USA Today, 15 Apr. 2026 But the issue that's the crux of this, that Iran cannot be permitted to have a nuclear weapon, which is what the Vice President stood before the world and said that Iran is unwilling to declare, just yesterday, which was the breaking point of the negotiations, has been the subject of hearings. CBS News, 12 Apr. 2026 That new evidence was the breaking point for Disney, and one wonders if that’ll reverberate through the ailing Bachelor franchise, which was supposed to have a fresh new star in Paul from one of Disney’s more recently popular reality series. Savannah Salazar, Vulture, 19 Mar. 2026 See All Example Sentences for breaking point

Word History

First Known Use

1851, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of breaking point was in 1851

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Cite this Entry

“Breaking point.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/breaking%20point. Accessed 25 Apr. 2026.

Medical Definition

breaking point

noun
: the point at which a person gives way under stress
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