1
as in infringements
a failure to uphold the requirements of law, duty, or obligation
the president's deliberate misstatements were widely seen as a breach of the public trust
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in violations
a breaking of a moral or legal code
cheating on the exam was a serious breach of the military academy's honor code
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in gaps
an open space in a barrier (as a wall or hedge)
the cat got out of the yard through a breach in the hedge
Synonyms & Similar Words
as in violates
to fail to keep
a builder being sued by a homeowner for breaching a contract
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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.
Recent Examples of breaches
Angela Yang, NBC news, 15 Apr. 2026
Next, see if your email has been exposed in past breaches.
—Adriana James-Rodil, FOXNews.com, 15 Apr. 2026
To keep up with demand, many cloud environments are becoming more complex, but complexity also introduces more opportunities for security breaches.
—Charlotte Observer, 14 Apr. 2026
Between 2014 and 2020, three large data breaches affected more than 344 million Marriott International and Starwood Hotels & Resorts customers, according to the the Federal Trade Commission (FTC).
—Michael Cappetta, Travel + Leisure, 14 Apr. 2026
Both cities stated that their systems were not compromised and no data breaches occurred as a result of the situation.
—Marvin Hurst, CBS News, 11 Apr. 2026
When secrets are a matter of national security Now consider how much worse that problem becomes if that AI helper works for the CIA, where secrecy is a matter of national security and breaches could endanger lives.
—Erik German, Fortune, 11 Apr. 2026
These breaches could result in rule violations, service outages, or unauthorized access.
—Felysha Walker, Miami Herald, 10 Apr. 2026
With the club now confident of avoiding any future breaches after a dramatic summer of cost-cutting following a second relegation to the Championship in three years, with much more to come this summer, at least that chapter is over.
—Rob Tanner, New York Times, 8 Apr. 2026
Jack Beresford, MSNBC Newsweek, 31 Mar. 2026
When magma breaches the surface of the Earth, it’s usually called lava.
—Quanta Magazine, 27 Mar. 2026
The sound of her paws on the floor, the weight of her on your lap, the pure joy of her silly expressions, the sound of her bark when the mailman breaches the front porch, the softness of her wooly head, and yes, even the ever-present doggy breath.
—Inga, San Diego Union-Tribune, 16 Mar. 2026
If a player breaches a revenue-sharing agreement… ?
—Justin Williams, New York Times, 12 Jan. 2026
As a battle ensues, the matriarch of the Tulkuns breaches the water and attacks the enemy ship, also known as the factory ship.
—Jazz Tangcay, Variety, 17 Dec. 2025
The difference, Tillmon said, is that whereas law enforcement is more responsive in nature, violence interrupters act before a situation breaches a level of crime.
—Tess Kenny, Chicago Tribune, 1 Sep. 2025
Nothing so much as a heated theological debate breaches the Brotherhood’s temperate cultural climes.
—Hannah Gold, New Yorker, 29 Aug. 2025
Noun
Implementing effective age restrictions also requires users to trust tech companies to handle their data safely, a feat that's difficult in light of frequent breaches.
—Angela Yang, NBC news, 15 Apr. 2026
Next, see if your email has been exposed in past breaches.
—Adriana James-Rodil, FOXNews.com, 15 Apr. 2026
To keep up with demand, many cloud environments are becoming more complex, but complexity also introduces more opportunities for security breaches.
—Charlotte Observer, 14 Apr. 2026
Between 2014 and 2020, three large data breaches affected more than 344 million Marriott International and Starwood Hotels & Resorts customers, according to the the Federal Trade Commission (FTC).
—Michael Cappetta, Travel + Leisure, 14 Apr. 2026
Both cities stated that their systems were not compromised and no data breaches occurred as a result of the situation.
—Marvin Hurst, CBS News, 11 Apr. 2026
When secrets are a matter of national security Now consider how much worse that problem becomes if that AI helper works for the CIA, where secrecy is a matter of national security and breaches could endanger lives.
—Erik German, Fortune, 11 Apr. 2026
These breaches could result in rule violations, service outages, or unauthorized access.
—Felysha Walker, Miami Herald, 10 Apr. 2026
With the club now confident of avoiding any future breaches after a dramatic summer of cost-cutting following a second relegation to the Championship in three years, with much more to come this summer, at least that chapter is over.
—Rob Tanner, New York Times, 8 Apr. 2026
Verb
Her filing says the renaming violates federal statutes, breaches the board’s fiduciary duties and contradicts the trust Congress created after Kennedy’s assassination.
—Jack Beresford, MSNBC Newsweek, 31 Mar. 2026
When magma breaches the surface of the Earth, it’s usually called lava.
—Quanta Magazine, 27 Mar. 2026
The sound of her paws on the floor, the weight of her on your lap, the pure joy of her silly expressions, the sound of her bark when the mailman breaches the front porch, the softness of her wooly head, and yes, even the ever-present doggy breath.
—Inga, San Diego Union-Tribune, 16 Mar. 2026
If a player breaches a revenue-sharing agreement… ?
—Justin Williams, New York Times, 12 Jan. 2026
As a battle ensues, the matriarch of the Tulkuns breaches the water and attacks the enemy ship, also known as the factory ship.
—Jazz Tangcay, Variety, 17 Dec. 2025
The difference, Tillmon said, is that whereas law enforcement is more responsive in nature, violence interrupters act before a situation breaches a level of crime.
—Tess Kenny, Chicago Tribune, 1 Sep. 2025
Nothing so much as a heated theological debate breaches the Brotherhood’s temperate cultural climes.
—Hannah Gold, New Yorker, 29 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for breaches
Noun
-
Montana led the nation in passing legislation that limits infringements on the ability of any resident to make full use of AI and related technologies.—
Neil Chilson,
Fortune,
20 Feb. 2026
-
The framework now chosen must address significant constitutional and European legal concerns and avoid serious infringements on entrepreneurial freedom of decision-making, program design and supply.—
Jesse Whittock,
Deadline,
6 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
That included adding a warrant requirement, restrictions on search queries, and enhanced penalties for privacy violations.—
Hailey Bullis,
The Washington Examiner,
17 Apr. 2026
-
The Mountain Mike’s Pizza location failed a reinspection on Wednesday, April 15 for repeat major violations.—
Camila Pedrosa,
Sacbee.com,
17 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Bloodzebra shows there’s much meaning to be gleaned in the gaps between surface and interior.—
James Gui,
Pitchfork,
17 Apr. 2026
-
However, a lack of variety may lead to nutrient gaps if your meal isn’t well-balanced across food groups.—
Caitlin Beale,
Health,
17 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
The information is disseminated even if the allegations were proven false, which violates the officers’ constitutional rights, the lawsuit claims.—
Thomas Tracy,
New York Daily News,
21 Apr. 2026
-
Opponents at home also say the change violates Japan’s pacifist constitution and will increase global tensions and threaten the safety of the Japanese people.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
20 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
The crimes were reported in Connecticut, New York and Massachusetts.—
Justin Muszynski,
Hartford Courant,
17 Apr. 2026
-
Police are looking to see whether any of the crimes may be related.—
Rick Montanez,
CBS News,
17 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Round pegs found round holes all over the pitch.—
Jack Pitt-Brooke,
New York Times,
20 Apr. 2026
-
This is because poor soil or weak drainage—like using pots without drainage holes, one of many common mistakes of growing tomatoes in containers—can lead to root rot, nutrient deficiencies, and stunted growth, Omelchenko says.—
Michelle Mastro,
The Spruce,
19 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Ultrawealthy buyers increasingly bypass the open market, instead joining developers’ private waitlists months or years in advance before a home even breaks ground.—
Sydney Lake,
Fortune,
19 Apr. 2026
-
Nel ignores the concern of her sister (Maja Michnacka) and breaks a date with her ex (Agata Trzebuchowska) to hang with Bethany instead.—
Jessica Kiang,
Variety,
17 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
There are worse sins in the world.—
Joshua Rothkopf,
Los Angeles Times,
17 Apr. 2026
-
Believers confess their sins to a priest, receive spiritual guidance and absolution and typically are required to make an act of contrition like saying specific prayers.—
Corky Siemaszko,
NBC news,
16 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Breaches.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/breaches. Accessed 23 Apr. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
