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 of break off

• 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

And in San Clemente, the pier was closed until Wednesday afternoon as waves reached its underside and appeared to break off some wood and wash it to shore. —Laylan Connelly, Oc Register, 11 June 2026

If the mouthpiece breaks off, try to remove it without digging into the skin. —Sophie Lindberg, Kansas City Star, 8 June 2026

After the presentation, attendees will break off to do workshops and other presentations about building software for Apple’s devices. —Kif Leswing, CNBC, 8 June 2026

The former couple broke off their seven-year engagement in November 2020. —Juliana Ukiomogbe, InStyle, 8 June 2026

Word History

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at transitive 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