breach

An act of breaking a law, rule, promise, or agreement.

• That is a breach of our agreement.
• The company was sued for breach of contract.
• Several breaches of safety rules were reported.

How to use it: breach of something (Sharing that information was a breach of trust.)

Similar words: violation, infringement

Opposites: compliance

Common phrases: breach of contract, breach of trust, breach of duty, breach of etiquette

A hole or gap made by breaking something solid, such as a wall.

• Water poured through a breach in the wall.
• Workers repaired the breach before the rain returned.
• The soldiers entered through two breaches in the defences.

How to use it: breach in something (The storm left a breach in the sea wall.)

Similar words: gap, opening, hole

Common phrases: breach in something, through a breach, make a breach

To fail to do what a rule, duty, or agreement requires.

• They breached their duty to protect the children.
• The firm breached its contract with us.
• Did he breach any safety rules?

Similar words: violate, break

Common phrases: breach a duty, breach a contract, breach the rules, breach an agreement

To break through a wall or barrier so that people can enter.

• The soldiers breached the wall.
• Police breached the locked door.
• They could not breach the city’s defences.

Similar words: break through, penetrate

Common phrases: breach a wall, breach the defences, breach a barrier