break (with) precedent
idiom
somewhat formal
: to do something that has not been done before
The voters broke (with) precedent when they elected a woman to the position.
Examples of break (with) precedent in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
The poll was released after the news that The Washington Post and the LA Times would break with precedent and not endorse a candidate before the 2024 presidential election.
—
Gordon G. Chang, Newsweek, 31 Oct. 2024
What new poll found A break with precedent Despite multiple assassination attempts on presidents, presidents-elect and presidential candidates throughout history, Cheatle is the only Secret Service director to resign in the wake of one, according to historians.
—Brendan Rascius, Miami Herald, 23 July 2024
The National Reconnaissance Office doesn't typically talk about any of its missions, but in an unusual break with precedent, the button-down spy satellite agency spoke with reporters ahead of the launch.
—Eric Berger, Ars Technica, 1 Sep. 2023
This was a dramatic break with precedent that, like the parallel efforts of Wolf and Barr, followed a clear pattern of these senior officials in sensitive posts tamping down the flow of information so as to enhance Trump’s political prospects.
—Peter Stone, The New Republic, 2 Oct. 2020
In each of the cases, McConnell has been willing to break with precedent in ways that many historians and legal scholars consider dangerous.
—New York Times, 10 Feb. 2022
In a break with precedent, the government ensured that even uninsured deposits will be returned.
—Anna Cooban, CNN, 13 Mar. 2023
During Thursday night’s town hall, Fallon criticized Pelosi’s rejection of Jordan and Banks from the Jan. 6 committee as a break with precedent.
—Joseph Morton, Dallas News, 12 Aug. 2022
Last year, in another break with precedent, the Fed loudly and explicitly endorsed a blowout in federal spending.
—Kevin Warsh, WSJ, 12 Dec. 2021
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.
Gordon G. Chang, Newsweek, 31 Oct. 2024
What new poll found A break with precedent Despite multiple assassination attempts on presidents, presidents-elect and presidential candidates throughout history, Cheatle is the only Secret Service director to resign in the wake of one, according to historians.
—Brendan Rascius, Miami Herald, 23 July 2024
The National Reconnaissance Office doesn't typically talk about any of its missions, but in an unusual break with precedent, the button-down spy satellite agency spoke with reporters ahead of the launch.
—Eric Berger, Ars Technica, 1 Sep. 2023
This was a dramatic break with precedent that, like the parallel efforts of Wolf and Barr, followed a clear pattern of these senior officials in sensitive posts tamping down the flow of information so as to enhance Trump’s political prospects.
—Peter Stone, The New Republic, 2 Oct. 2020
In each of the cases, McConnell has been willing to break with precedent in ways that many historians and legal scholars consider dangerous.
—New York Times, 10 Feb. 2022
In a break with precedent, the government ensured that even uninsured deposits will be returned.
—Anna Cooban, CNN, 13 Mar. 2023
During Thursday night’s town hall, Fallon criticized Pelosi’s rejection of Jordan and Banks from the Jan. 6 committee as a break with precedent.
—Joseph Morton, Dallas News, 12 Aug. 2022
Last year, in another break with precedent, the Fed loudly and explicitly endorsed a blowout in federal spending.
—Kevin Warsh, WSJ, 12 Dec. 2021
Dictionary Entries Near break (with) precedent
Cite this Entry
“Break (with) precedent.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/break%20%28with%29%20precedent. Accessed 22 Dec. 2024.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share