I. noun
1.
the act or offense of failing to keep the law or to do what law, duty, or obligation requires
sued for breach of contract
his behavior was a gross breach of good manners
Synonyms: contravention, infraction, infringement, transgression, trespass, violation
Related Word: disregard, nonobservance; delinquency, dereliction, neglect
Contrasted words: conformance, conformity, observance
Antonyms: observance
2.
Synonyms: gap 1, break, discontinuity, hole, opening
3.
an interruption of accustomed friendly relations
a trivial misunderstanding caused a breach between the brothers
Synonyms: break, fissure, fracture, rent, rift, rupture, schism, split; compare schism 3
Related Word: division, separation, severance; alienation, estrangement; difference, discord, disharmony, dissension, disunity, strife, variance; secession, withdrawal; falling-out, quarrel
Idioms: parting of ways
Contrasted words: integrity, solidarity, union, unity; communion, community; accord, concord, harmony
4.
Synonyms: gap 2, break, hiatus, interim, interruption, interval, lacuna
II. verb
1.
Synonyms: open 3, disrupt, hole, rupture
Related Word: bore, penetrate
2.
Synonyms: violate 1, break, contravene, infract, infringe, offend, transgress