break ranks

phrase

variants or less commonly break rank
: to differ in opinion or action from one's peers
—often used with with
broke ranks with the party's leadership

Examples of break ranks in a Sentence

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.
Their 164 runs scored since the All-Star break rank in the bottom third of the majors. — Katie Woo, New York Times, 31 Aug. 2026 And the Soufan Center warned in January that hard-liners within those services could break ranks and join the Islamic State group or other jihadist organizations. — Jason M. Blazakis, The Conversation, 27 Aug. 2026 Murkowski is Republican, but she is known to break ranks with her party. — Emily R. Condon, USA Today, 17 Aug. 2026 However, three Fed officials broke ranks and voted to raise it at the latest meeting, and that split has led some analysts and experts to believe there will be more rate hike pressure at its next meeting. — Tim Maxwell, CBS News, 4 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for break ranks

Word History

First Known Use

1854, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of break ranks was in 1854

Rhymes for break ranks

See All Rhymes for break ranks

Browse Nearby Words

break point
break ranks
break roll
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Break ranks.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/break%20ranks. Accessed 4 Sep. 2026.

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