break the mold
idiom
1
: to do something in a completely new way
Voters are looking for a candidate who will break the mold and give them honest answers.
2
informal
—used to describe a very unusual or admired person
He was the greatest man I ever knew. They broke the mold when they made that guy.
Examples of break the mold in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Despite being an old soul who loves talking about the gold ol’ days of cult cinema, Briggs says that some of his favorite episodes break the mold and play with format.
—
William Earl, Variety, 27 Aug. 2025
Japan is long overdue for an electric supercar, so perhaps this Sport Concept could break the mold.
—Peter Lyon, Forbes.com, 17 Aug. 2025
As hyper-masculine pioneers like Elvis Presley, Chuck Berry and Jerry Lee Lewis were making rock & roll history in the 1950s, their equally influential peer Little Richard was arguably the first rocker to break the mold of masculinity, with his flamboyant, androgynous persona.
—Jeremy Helligar, People.com, 10 Aug. 2025
The 21st-century definition of brand image means that some movie stars get typecast — unless, like Emma Stone, Kristen Stewart, Anna Kendrick, and Jennifer Lawrence, an actor leverages their mainstream success to break the mold and make independent films.
—Clement Obropta, IndieWire, 16 June 2025
Her goal is to empower ambitious people to break the mold, be better leaders, build influence, and reach their full potential.
—Jenny Wood, CNBC, 16 June 2025
But Duggan is pitching himself as the right candidate to break the mold of the two-party system and touting his early support from members of both parties.
—Alexis Simendinger, The Hill, 11 June 2025
Their goal is simple: break the mold of how people perceive young Black men.
—Nicolle Majette, NBC news, 30 May 2025
Although both, as the modern world does, break the mold somewhat.
—Taylor Antrim, Vogue, 12 May 2025
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.
William Earl, Variety, 27 Aug. 2025
Japan is long overdue for an electric supercar, so perhaps this Sport Concept could break the mold.
—Peter Lyon, Forbes.com, 17 Aug. 2025
As hyper-masculine pioneers like Elvis Presley, Chuck Berry and Jerry Lee Lewis were making rock & roll history in the 1950s, their equally influential peer Little Richard was arguably the first rocker to break the mold of masculinity, with his flamboyant, androgynous persona.
—Jeremy Helligar, People.com, 10 Aug. 2025
The 21st-century definition of brand image means that some movie stars get typecast — unless, like Emma Stone, Kristen Stewart, Anna Kendrick, and Jennifer Lawrence, an actor leverages their mainstream success to break the mold and make independent films.
—Clement Obropta, IndieWire, 16 June 2025
Her goal is to empower ambitious people to break the mold, be better leaders, build influence, and reach their full potential.
—Jenny Wood, CNBC, 16 June 2025
But Duggan is pitching himself as the right candidate to break the mold of the two-party system and touting his early support from members of both parties.
—Alexis Simendinger, The Hill, 11 June 2025
Their goal is simple: break the mold of how people perceive young Black men.
—Nicolle Majette, NBC news, 30 May 2025
Although both, as the modern world does, break the mold somewhat.
—Taylor Antrim, Vogue, 12 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Break the mold.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/break%20the%20mold. Accessed 20 Sep. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share