1
as in to distract
to draw the attention or mind to something else
she was about to tell me the big news when her attention was called off by the arrival of another guest
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to cancel
to put an end to (something planned or previously agreed to)
called off the party after half of those invited couldn't make it
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of call off
The trooper called off the chase because of the risk to public safety and sent a description of the van to nearby law enforcement agencies, the release stated.
—
Lauren Penington, Denver Post, 8 June 2025
Growing concerns about Biden's fitness for office forced him to call off his reelection campaign later that year.
—Rachel Treisman, NPR, 5 June 2025
The search was called off for the night around 11:30 p.m.
—Summer Lin, Los Angeles Times, 28 May 2025
But the more important effort will be to convince Trump to call off the Treasury Department’s hunt for new sanctions targets and persuade the UN Security Council to pare back its own sanctions.
—John Delury, Foreign Affairs, 3 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for call off
Lauren Penington, Denver Post, 8 June 2025
Growing concerns about Biden's fitness for office forced him to call off his reelection campaign later that year.
—Rachel Treisman, NPR, 5 June 2025
The search was called off for the night around 11:30 p.m.
—Summer Lin, Los Angeles Times, 28 May 2025
But the more important effort will be to convince Trump to call off the Treasury Department’s hunt for new sanctions targets and persuade the UN Security Council to pare back its own sanctions.
—John Delury, Foreign Affairs, 3 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for call off
Recent Examples of Synonyms for call off
Verb
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Shepherding that split to reality will leave WBD leadership distracted for a year, Martin estimated.—
David Bloom,
Forbes.com,
21 June 2025
-
Cho, as the perceptive and generous Jin, distracted from his own family troubles by the sudden flashes of Casey’s bright light, is wise and rejuvenated; disinterested admiration makes this man, who looks to be in his forties, nearly a teen-ager again.—
Richard Brody,
New Yorker,
20 June 2025
Verb
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Senate lawmakers from both parties clashed with Russell Vought, director of the White House Office of Management and Budget, on Wednesday over the Trump administration's proposal to cancel billions in federal spending on foreign aid, public broadcasting and global health programs.—
Sonam Sheth
Gabe Whisnant,
MSNBC Newsweek,
25 June 2025
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After four seasons, HGTV has cancelled Married to Real Estate, the home renovation series hosted by Egypt Sherrod and her husband Mike Jackson.—
Nick Caruso,
TVLine,
25 June 2025
Verb
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Dort watched the ball traverse over his noggin but did not divert his focus from Haliburton.—
Fred Katz,
New York Times,
16 June 2025
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The state is reviving a tax amnesty program and diverting $137 million from the road fund to cover state employee health benefits, a move analysts warn could weaken long-term infrastructure funding.—
Elaine Mallon,
The Washington Examiner,
16 June 2025
Verb
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To add insult to injury, Pfizer abandoned its plan just a few years after the Kelo decision, just as its tax breaks were about to expire and after about $80 million of taxpayer money was spent, and the land remains a vacant lot all these years later.—
The Editorial Board,
Oc Register,
22 June 2025
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Another noted that the Post tried to become a national rival to The New York Times and failed — abandoning its identity as a regional and D.C. insider paper in the process.—
Andy Meek,
Forbes.com,
21 June 2025
Verb
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As the weak signals from the global positioning satellites pass through this suddenly turbulent region, they get thrown off course.—
Tereza Pultarova,
Space.com,
22 June 2025
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Many operate on asset-light, franchise-heavy models that throw off steady income with minimal capital intensity.—
Jim Osman,
Forbes.com,
19 June 2025
Verb
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In March 2024, JetBlue and Spirit scrapped a $3.8 billion merger agreement after a U.S. judge blocked the deal on anti-competition concerns.—
David Shepardson,
USA Today,
26 June 2025
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If developers are unable to secure alternative financing, many solar projects would likely be scrapped altogether.—
Chris Hopper,
Fortune,
24 June 2025
Verb
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The Trump administration has repeatedly warned green card holders, who are lawful permanent residents, that their stay in the country is not guaranteed and could be revoked if they are deemed a threat to national interests.—
Mandy Taheri,
MSNBC Newsweek,
25 June 2025
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Advertisement In other cases, however, the Supreme Court has ruled in favor of the Administration on immigration, giving it legroom to revoke temporary legal protections and deport many migrants—including to countries other than their own.—
Solcyré Burga,
Time,
25 June 2025
Verb
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During the qualifying session at Circuit Gilles Villeneuve, Hadjar was informed Williams' Carlos Sainz was behind him but had aborted his lap.—
Lydia Mee,
MSNBC Newsweek,
14 June 2025
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The Australian perennial chart-topper has been performing on her Tension tour to sell-out crowds in the UK, but has been forced to abort four imminent European dates after coming down with laryngitis – inflammation of the vocal chords and voice box.—
Caroline Frost,
Deadline,
14 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“Call off.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/call%20off. Accessed 30 Jun. 2025.
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