In this theoretical investigation, we have examined the combined effects of nonthermally revamped polarization force on modulational instability MI of dust acoustic waves DAWs and evolution of different kinds of dust acoustic (DA) breathers in a dusty plasma consisting of negatively charged dust as fluid, Maxwellian electrons, and ions obeying Cairns’ nonthermal distribution. The nonthermality of ions has considerably altered the strength of polarization force. By employing the multiple-scale perturbation technique, the nonlinear Schrödinger equation NLSE is derived to study modulational MI instability of dust acoustic waves DAWs. It is noticed that influence of the polarization force makes the wave number domain narrow where MI sets in. The rational solutions of nonlinear Schrödinger equation illustrate the evolution of DA breathers, namely, Akhmediev breather, Kuznetsov–Ma breather, and Peregrine solitons (rogue waves). Further, the formation of super rogue waves due to nonlinear superposition of DA triplets rogue waves is also discussed. It is analyzed that combined effects of variation in the polarization force and nonthermality of ions have a comprehensive influence on the evolution of different kinds of DA breathers. It is remarked that outcome of present theoretical investigation may provide physical insight into understanding the role of nonlinear phenomena for the generation of various types of DA breathers in experiments and different regions of space (e.g., the planetary spoke and cometary tails).