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
Police called off their pursuit of Cook over safety concerns, but found his vehicle abandoned in a neighborhood less than a mile away.
—
Alex Brizee, Idaho Statesman, 11 Sep. 2025
To call off the project now, as many of its detractors in the White House desire, would waste years of advancement.
—Theo Burman, MSNBC Newsweek, 11 Sep. 2025
While visiting their mom's grave on the fifth anniversary of her death, the estranged brothers talk for the first time since Conrad's last-minute confession of love spurred Belly to call off her wedding to Jeremiah, and amidst the anger, Jeremiah gave Conrad his pseudo permission to pursue Belly.
—Julia Moore, People.com, 11 Sep. 2025
Then in June, the project was called off.
—David Gelles, Time, 9 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for call off
Alex Brizee, Idaho Statesman, 11 Sep. 2025
To call off the project now, as many of its detractors in the White House desire, would waste years of advancement.
—Theo Burman, MSNBC Newsweek, 11 Sep. 2025
While visiting their mom's grave on the fifth anniversary of her death, the estranged brothers talk for the first time since Conrad's last-minute confession of love spurred Belly to call off her wedding to Jeremiah, and amidst the anger, Jeremiah gave Conrad his pseudo permission to pursue Belly.
—Julia Moore, People.com, 11 Sep. 2025
Then in June, the project was called off.
—David Gelles, Time, 9 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for call off
Recent Examples of Synonyms for call off
Verb
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Rather than distracting from the acting, the animation also only enhances the heightened emotions of adolescence.—
James Factora,
Them.,
26 Sep. 2025
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Prosecutors told the jury not to be distracted by these arguments, that the broader picture clearly showed who was at the center of these killings.—
Miguel Torres,
AZCentral.com,
25 Sep. 2025
Verb
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This simple transmitter plugs into the headphone jack on your screen and connects to your favorite noise-canceling headphones to drown out the sounds of other passengers while allowing for hours of entertainment with your own personal earbuds.—
Merrell Readman,
Travel + Leisure,
27 Sep. 2025
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While airlines don't yet have travel advisories for travel to and from Phoenix, airlines generally rebook passengers on the next available flight at no additional cost when a flight is canceled or delayed.—
Michael Salerno,
AZCentral.com,
26 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Trump dropped a pending Securities and Exchange lawsuit against his key financial backer Binance that claimed the company was misleading its customers and diverting their funds.—
Thomas G. Moukawsher,
MSNBC Newsweek,
1 Oct. 2025
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The munition can also be diverted mid-flight if battlefield conditions change — a feature that commanders say minimizes collateral damage and protects soldiers.—
Kapil Kajal,
Interesting Engineering,
30 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Travis Decker, the man believed to have suffocated and abandoned his three young daughters at a campsite in the Washington state wilderness, is dead, Chelan County authorities said Thursday.—
Cindy Von Quednow,
CNN Money,
25 Sep. 2025
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The Gulf states are hedging against Israeli overreach—not abandoning America.—
Firas Maksad,
Time,
25 Sep. 2025
Verb
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The Europeans are far too mentally tough to be thrown off their game.—
Ian O'Connor,
New York Times,
28 Sep. 2025
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Perhaps an unexpected expense throws off your budget, or you’re no longer inspired by a recent investment.—
Valerie Mesa,
PEOPLE,
27 Sep. 2025
Verb
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The decision to scrap an access-all-areas documentary — as revealed by The Athletic in July — also curtailed what could have been a valuable source of income.—
Laurie Whitwell,
New York Times,
1 Oct. 2025
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Textiles have been one of the biggest beneficiaries of AGOA and, by some estimates, up to 300,000 jobs could be at risk if AGOA were scrapped.—
Yinka Adegoke,
semafor.com,
29 Sep. 2025
Verb
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In April, more than 4,700 international students across the country had their immigration status revoked before it was unexpectedly restored weeks later.—
David Ferrara,
Cincinnati Enquirer,
30 Sep. 2025
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Each person controls who can use their likeness and can revoke or delete any cameo videos.—
Aamir Khollam,
Interesting Engineering,
30 Sep. 2025
Verb
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As more and more eerie changes take place, all pregnant women in the village are forced to abort.—
Jenny S. Li,
Variety,
19 Sep. 2025
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Washington — The Federal Aviation Administration is investigating after a regional jet was forced to abort its landing at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport and circle the airport when pilots spotted an airport vehicle on the runway.—
Aaron Cooper,
CNN Money,
9 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Call off.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/call%20off. Accessed 2 Oct. 2025.
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