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breach

breach

88 4.9
An opening in a wall, dam, or defence usually made by force
  • noun
  • /briːtʃ/
translation icon : brecha
  • Hugging the edge of the breach, she warily peered across the spilled stones.
  • step into the breach
  • widen the breach
  • breach in the lagoon

When Russian troops achieved local breakthroughs, Brusilev could pour in reserves to expand the breach and roll up the flanks.

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Examples

  • Our best hope is that that leading regiment can keep the Rebs occupied... long enough for reinforcements to exploit the breach.

  • Alicia waited with her companions outside the breach in the wall.

    Fiction book (1992)
  • We got a breach in the fan room!

  • Looks like some kind of breach in the trunk lines.

  • Artillery let loose once more and a breach was made.

  • Here, men rushed through the breach in a madness.

  • The Ghoul patrol found the breach and sealed it.

  • Enraged French soldiers storm the breach and overwhelm the defenders.

  • The bilges are pumping out water, but there's still a breach in the hull.

  • The soldiers found a breach in the enemy's defenses and seized the opportunity to advance.

Synonyms

hole
vsbreach
1.0

An opening in something, often made by people or nature

is created by force in a wall or defense rather than mere empty space
opening
vsbreach
179 1.0

A space that lets people move through, for example a door

is created by force in a wall or defense rather than a normal passage
crevice
vsbreach
30 4.2

A narrow opening in rock or a wall where things can hide

is a forced gap in a barrier, not a natural narrow crack
rift
vsbreach
25 4.8

A narrow crack or gap in solid things like rock and clouds

is a gap made by force in a wall rather than a natural crack
chink
vsbreach
11 6.4

A small narrow opening that lets light or air through

is a larger opening made by force rather than a small gap between parts
loophole
vsbreach
4 7.1

A narrow opening in a fort wall for looking or firing weapons

is created by force in a wall rather than a defensive firing slot
embrasure
vsbreach
  • Specialized
1 9.9

An opening in a wall for firing a gun or looking out

is a gap made by force, not a deliberate slit for defense

Idioms

To step forward and help in a difficult situation when others cannot or will not

2 7.3

To take responsibility and act when someone else cannot

honor in the breach
  • Literature
9.9

A belief that breaking an unfair rule is right

9.9

To try again to face a difficult situation even after failing before

Compounds

12 3.6

Failure to do what a contract requires, for example not delivering goods or not paying

6 8.2

A serious failure to follow a contract that lets the other side end it or claim money

To break the trust someone gives you by acting dishonestly or failing a duty

1 9.5

Failing to keep a promise to marry someone that can lead to a court case

An action that makes people in public feel unsafe or upset

1 6.5

Not doing what you must by law or by what is right to keep others safe

1 9.9

A person or company saying before the agreed time that they will not do what the contract says

An action that goes against customs people have followed for a long time

A crime of illegally taking money or things someone gave you to look after and keeping them for yourself

4.4

A seller that does not keep a promise that something bought will work or be repaired

Failure by a seller to keep a promise that the buyer can own the property without debts or claims

9.6

When one side makes a contract impossible to carry out before it is due

7.5

A break of a contract that does not end it but lets the harmed person ask for money

How Wide

chasm
33 6.9
breach
88 4.9
hole
1.0
gap
148 1.0
opening
179 1.0
crack
267 1.0

Surface Forms

breach singular
breaches plural

Etymology

Breach originally meant a 'break' in something like a wall or dam, from an Old English word related to break. That's why a breach is an opening or gap made in a barrier, often by force.