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

… climate-related provisions were unlikely to be a deal-breaker, but the bill has taken a back seat to voting rights legislation …

—Matthew Daly

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 its sluggish performance may be a deal-breaker for users who want to do more than just scribble and read. — Kimberly Gedeon, PC Magazine, 27 Sep. 2026

Not having sex had seemed to be a deal-breaker for Beck just weeks before. — Josephine Reisman, Vulture, 24 Sep. 2026

That’s because unruly strands can be a deal-breaker on even your best hair day. — Deanna Pai, Glamour, 10 Sep. 2026

Analysts have warned that the structural remedies Bonta has in mind might be deal-breakers for Paramount, making any settlement talks ultimately unproductive. — Brian Stelter, CNN Money, 22 Aug. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1965, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for deal-breaker

• blackacre
• caretaker
• clockmaker
• dressmaker
• filmmaker
• homemaker
• icebreaker
• lawmaker
• matchmaker
• pacemaker
• partaker
• peacemaker