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
If those are deal-breakers, then consider the older Acer Nitro 5 ($1,098), which has lesser specs but is slightly smaller and lighter, and its battery life is a bit better.
—Luke Larsen Scott Gilbertson, Wired News, 1 Aug. 2025
May 10, 2025: Rumors abound as the Daily Mail cites unnamed sources who say Cruise’s Scientology beliefs are not a deal-breaker for de Armas, who was raised Catholic.
—Kathleen Walsh, Glamour, 30 July 2025
The strategy shift, which has been in the works for some time, comes amid increasing signs that opposition to Israel is no longer a deal-breaker in the Democratic political sphere in the United States.
—Andrew Lapin, Sun Sentinel, 29 July 2025
Annoyances to be sure, but these are far from deal-breakers for this bicycle.
—Eric Bangeman, ArsTechnica, 25 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for deal-breaker
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Luke Larsen Scott Gilbertson, Wired News, 1 Aug. 2025
May 10, 2025: Rumors abound as the Daily Mail cites unnamed sources who say Cruise’s Scientology beliefs are not a deal-breaker for de Armas, who was raised Catholic.
—Kathleen Walsh, Glamour, 30 July 2025
The strategy shift, which has been in the works for some time, comes amid increasing signs that opposition to Israel is no longer a deal-breaker in the Democratic political sphere in the United States.
—Andrew Lapin, Sun Sentinel, 29 July 2025
Annoyances to be sure, but these are far from deal-breakers for this bicycle.
—Eric Bangeman, ArsTechnica, 25 July 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 10 Aug. 2025.
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