1
as in to stop
to bring (as an action or operation) to an immediate end
the judge broke off court proceedings until after lunch
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to end
to come to an end
talks between the two sides broke off when one began making unreasonable demands
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of break off
Machine Gun Kelly and Megan Fox broke off their two-year engagement in November of 2024, just weeks after announcing Fox’s pregnancy.
—
Kathleen Walsh, Glamour, 18 June 2025
But the Cubs broke off to form the Marquee Sports Network in 2020, and regional sports networks, long the cash cow of pay TV, have struggled financially in recent years as cord-cutting takes its toll on the cable bundle.
—Chicago Tribune, 10 June 2025
Baby rattlesnakes don’t have rattles, and adult snakes’ rattles occasionally break off, according to the National Park Service.
—Hannah Poukish, Sacbee.com, 29 June 2025
The awesome sight likely wasn't entirely harmless: Remnants of the cosmic object may have broken off and plummeted through the roof of a home in Henry County, Georgia, according to the local National Weather Service office.
—Eric Lagatta, USA Today, 28 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for break off
Kathleen Walsh, Glamour, 18 June 2025
But the Cubs broke off to form the Marquee Sports Network in 2020, and regional sports networks, long the cash cow of pay TV, have struggled financially in recent years as cord-cutting takes its toll on the cable bundle.
—Chicago Tribune, 10 June 2025
Baby rattlesnakes don’t have rattles, and adult snakes’ rattles occasionally break off, according to the National Park Service.
—Hannah Poukish, Sacbee.com, 29 June 2025
The awesome sight likely wasn't entirely harmless: Remnants of the cosmic object may have broken off and plummeted through the roof of a home in Henry County, Georgia, according to the local National Weather Service office.
—Eric Lagatta, USA Today, 28 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for break off
Recent Examples of Synonyms for break off
Verb
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The toddler stopped crying about 15 minutes after she had been put down for a nap.—
Karen Kucher,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
12 July 2025
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Consumers should stop using the covers immediately and dispose of them.—
MSNBC Newsweek,
MSNBC Newsweek,
11 July 2025
Verb
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That legal standoff ended so CBS’ corporate parent, Paramount Global, could get regulatory approval for its merger with Skydance.—
Brent Lang,
Variety,
9 July 2025
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Wayfair’s four-day flash sale ends on Friday, July 11, so keep scrolling to shop even more deals on outdoor furniture and decor below.—
Clint Davis,
People.com,
9 July 2025
Verb
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After 116 years in operation and founded by James McGill, McGill Manufacturing ceased operations in 2021.—
Philip Potempa,
Chicago Tribune,
2 July 2025
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Trump signed an order May 2 directing the Corporation for Public Broadcasting to cease funding NPR and PBS.—
Sara Dorn,
Forbes.com,
2 July 2025
Verb
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Taking effect in September 2026 and extending through the 2029-30 season, the new CBA was passed by a majority vote from both the NHL’s Board of Governors and the NHL Players’ Association, more than 14 months before the current agreement expires.—
Jesse Granger,
New York Times,
9 July 2025
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Indeed, the executive order that established ORM and requires regulatory analysis expires in June 2026.—
Susan E. Dudley,
Forbes.com,
9 July 2025
Verb
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Environmental concerns about the airport’s impact on the Everglades halted plans to develop the facility further in the late 1970s and early 1980s.—
Grethel Aguila,
Miami Herald,
1 July 2025
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That plan would halt roughly $522 billion in investments, many of which are based in red states.—
Elena Moore,
NPR,
1 July 2025
Verb
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Meanwhile, Hong Kong concluded its stablecoin consultation in early 2025, signaling a shift toward regulatory recognition in Asia.—
Elizabeth Rossiello,
Forbes.com,
2 July 2025
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The judge also concluded that the balance of hardships favors the imposition of an injunction.—
Michael McCann,
Sportico.com,
1 July 2025
Verb
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Money has also been spent on nongovernmental organization programs that hand out clean needles and crack pipes as part of progressive harm reduction policies instead of encouraging homeless drug users to quit.—
Barnini Chakraborty,
The Washington Examiner,
14 July 2025
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Although the overall unemployment rate is just 4.1%, few people are quitting jobs today, and employers are skittish about hiring.—
Scott Horsley,
NPR,
13 July 2025
Verb
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According to media reports last week, the Defense Department’s rationale for cutting off this data has to do with cybersecurity concerns stemming from the way the data is transmitted between agencies.—
Andrew Freedman,
CNN Money,
30 June 2025
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In 2010, China cut off rare earth exports to Japan during a maritime dispute, a clear warning shot the U.S. observed but brushed off.—
Dewardric L. McNeal,
CNBC,
29 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“Break off.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/break%20off. Accessed 18 Jul. 2025.
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