break off
verb
broke off; broken off; breaking off; breaks off
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
1
: discontinue
break off diplomatic relations
2
: to remove by or as if by breaking
broke off a chunk of bread
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
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
In others, because clots are crumbly, small bits may break off during the retrieval attempt.
—Ani Freedman, Fortune, 27 June 2025
If part of the tick, like the mouth, breaks off and remains lodged in your skin, remove those parts, too.
—Julia Ries, Health, 25 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for break off
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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
In others, because clots are crumbly, small bits may break off during the retrieval attempt.
—Ani Freedman, Fortune, 27 June 2025
If part of the tick, like the mouth, breaks off and remains lodged in your skin, remove those parts, too.
—Julia Ries, Health, 25 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for break off
Cite this Entry
“Break off.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/break%20off. Accessed 5 Jul. 2025.
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