break with
phrasal verb
broke with; broken with; breaking with; breaks with
: to end a relationship, connection, or agreement with (someone or something)
He broke with his former friends and colleagues when he decided to support the conservative candidate.
a strong desire to break with tradition/the past
Examples of break with in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
What kind of coffin is Francis being buried in?
Pope Francis' coffin also breaks with papal tradition.
—
Susan Miller, USA Today, 27 Apr. 2025
California The path to picking a new pope -- and what role California will play
April 22, 2025
Francis is breaking with recent tradition and will be laid to rest in St. Mary Major Basilica, near Rome’s main train station, where a simple tomb awaits him with just his name: Franciscus.
—Nicole Winfield and Colleen Barry, Los Angeles Times, 26 Apr. 2025
He may more likely be remembered for having broken with decades of foreign policy embraced by Republican and Democratic Presidents, alienating NATO allies, and siding with Russia in its war with Ukraine.
—Eric Cortellessa, Time, 25 Apr. 2025
Bondi's memo marks a sharp break with that policy and returns to a more aggressive approach to leak investigations used during President Trump's first term in office, as well as during the presidency of Barack Obama.
—Ryan Lucas, NPR, 25 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for break with
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.
Susan Miller, USA Today, 27 Apr. 2025
California The path to picking a new pope -- and what role California will play
April 22, 2025
Francis is breaking with recent tradition and will be laid to rest in St. Mary Major Basilica, near Rome’s main train station, where a simple tomb awaits him with just his name: Franciscus.
—Nicole Winfield and Colleen Barry, Los Angeles Times, 26 Apr. 2025
He may more likely be remembered for having broken with decades of foreign policy embraced by Republican and Democratic Presidents, alienating NATO allies, and siding with Russia in its war with Ukraine.
—Eric Cortellessa, Time, 25 Apr. 2025
Bondi's memo marks a sharp break with that policy and returns to a more aggressive approach to leak investigations used during President Trump's first term in office, as well as during the presidency of Barack Obama.
—Ryan Lucas, NPR, 25 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for break with
Cite this Entry
“Break with.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/break%20with. Accessed 2 May. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share