breaking point

noun

1
: the point at which a person gives way under stress
2
: the point at which a situation becomes critical
3
: the point at which something loses force or validity
stretch the rules to the breaking point

Examples of breaking point in a Sentence

tensions between the two nations had risen to the breaking point
Recent Examples on the Web
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.
Push your ideas to the breaking point before moving forward. Mark Kane, Forbes, 22 Jan. 2025 But the travel and costs of obtaining paperwork stretched his resources to breaking point. Abel Alvarado, CNN, 22 Jan. 2025 Are the Chicago Bulls reaching a breaking point with the fifth-year wing? Alexandra Kukulka, Chicago Tribune, 16 Jan. 2025 Face cream visionary and cherry sweater-wearing fashion icon Alyssa Farah Griffin reached a breaking point on The View, after cohost Joy Behar shaded her on air during a particularly tense verbal clash about hate speech on social media. EW.com, 9 Jan. 2025 See all Example Sentences for breaking point 

Word History

First Known Use

1865, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of breaking point was in 1865

Dictionary Entries Near breaking point

Cite this Entry

“Breaking point.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/breaking%20point. Accessed 30 Jan. 2025.

Medical Definition

breaking point

noun
: the point at which a person gives way under stress
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!