break off

verb

broke off; broken off; breaking off; breaks off

intransitive verb

1

: to stop abruptly

break off in the middle of a sentence

2

: to become detached

branches that broke off in the storm

3

: to end a relationship

broke off with his business partner

transitive verb

1

: discontinue

break off diplomatic relations

2

: to remove by or as if by breaking

broke off a chunk of bread

Synonyms

• stop
• cease
• end
• halt
• quit
• cut off
• lay off
• knock off
• shut off
• cut out

Examples of break off in a Sentence

the judge broke off court proceedings until after lunch

talks between the two sides broke off when one began making unreasonable demands

Recent Examples on the Web

Mahama breaks off in exasperation. —Charlie Campbell, Time, 30 Oct. 2025

Once enough cars have sped over these fissures, chunks begin breaking off to create those infamous potholes that pop tires and ruin shocks. —Andrew Paul, Popular Science, 29 Oct. 2025

For instance, in the closer, Rosa (Martinez) decided to leave her job as a medical examiner and broke off her romantic relationship with Yancy. —Nellie Andreeva, Deadline, 28 Oct. 2025

Lumpkins’ fingernails were broken off because she had been dragged from under the bed. —Grethel Aguila, Miami Herald, 23 Oct. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense 1

Rhymes for break off

• ashraf
• checkoff
• cutoff
• falloff
• handoff
• kickoff
• layoff
• liftoff
• markoff
• markov
• payoff
• playoff

Kids Definition

break off

verb

: to stop suddenly