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

• 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

Sweeney broke off her engagement to 42-year-old hunky businessman Jonathan Davino a few months ago. —Madeleine Marr, Miami Herald, 4 Sep. 2025

Studies have shown that both erythritol and xylitol may cause blood platelets to more easily clump — creating clots that can break off and travel to the heart, triggering a heart attack, or to the brain, damaging blood vessels or triggering a stroke. —Sandee Lamotte, CNN Money, 3 Sep. 2025

As the slab sinks downwards at a steep angle, large portions or rock break off from the slab’s tip. —David Bressan, Forbes.com, 1 Sep. 2025

Johnson then carried the ball on the last four plays, breaking off carries of eight, nine and 10 yards. —Patrick Z. McGavin, Chicago Tribune, 30 Aug. 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