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

• break
• break up
• can [slang]
• cease
• cut off
• cut out
• desist (from)
• discontinue
• drop
• end
• give over
• halt
• knock off
• lay off
• leave off
• pack (up or in)
• quit
• shut off
• stop

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

Valerie Bertinelli’s ex-boyfriend Mike Goodnough is sharing his side of who chose to break off their relationship. —Erin Clements, People.com, 21 Apr. 2025

The base of the 35-pound trophy broke off as Vance held it up with help from star Ohio State running back TreVeyon Henderson. —Joey Garrison, USA Today, 14 Apr. 2025

Eventually, Willis broke off and ran across 69th, past the car and behind the building at 352 E. 69th St. Clair followed. —Jens Ludwig, Chicago Tribune, 13 Apr. 2025

Minnesota had gotten a 2-on-1 break off the opening faceoff but did not get a shot off. —Jess Myers, Twin Cities, 30 Mar. 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