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
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
Tim PanaccioPay 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
Matt Ellis2
: 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
Jason CiprianiOverall, the biggest dealbreaker was the $290 price tag.—Bianca Alba
Bianca AlbaAny number of women I interviewed cited clinginess in a boyfriend as a major deal breaker.—Liza Mundy
Liza MundyExamples of deal-breaker in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
But the Senate has not passed it, instead approving a bill that includes funding for a rural health program and a pediatric hospital in addition to filling the gap in Medicaid funding — deal-breakers for the House.
—Nora O'Neill, Charlotte Observer, 27 Oct. 2025
Still, for those who don’t keep this as a dating deal-breaker, more potential life partners could be found that still offer some compatibility, depending on the level of difference in viewpoints.
—Suzanne Blake, MSNBC Newsweek, 27 Oct. 2025
The latter are deal-breakers for about one in seven singles.
—Essence, 23 Oct. 2025
The key is distinguishing between deal-breakers and workable differences.
—Connie Etemadi, USA Today, 2 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for deal-breaker
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Nora O'Neill, Charlotte Observer, 27 Oct. 2025
Still, for those who don’t keep this as a dating deal-breaker, more potential life partners could be found that still offer some compatibility, depending on the level of difference in viewpoints.
—Suzanne Blake, MSNBC Newsweek, 27 Oct. 2025
The latter are deal-breakers for about one in seven singles.
—Essence, 23 Oct. 2025
The key is distinguishing between deal-breakers and workable differences.
—Connie Etemadi, USA Today, 2 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for deal-breaker
Cite this Entry
“Deal-breaker.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/deal-breaker. Accessed 31 Oct. 2025.
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