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

• break
• break up
• can [slang]
• cease
• cut off
• cut out
• desist (from)
• discontinue
• drop
• end
• give over
• halt
• knock off
• lay off
• leave off
• pack (up or in)
• quit
• shut off
• stop

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

The actors broke off their engagement in 2004, got back together in 2021, and were married the following year. —Katie Schultz, Architectural Digest, 12 July 2024

After two years, the couple broke off their engagement in 2019. —Emma Aerin Becker, Peoplemag, 10 July 2024

In the time since, the singer has moved on from the relationship the record was rumored to have been written about, having broke off her engagement with Alex Rodriguez. —Larisha Paul, Rolling Stone, 8 July 2024

Eventually, Alma will break off their engagement after discovering that Daniel, the book’s titular fetishist, has been having an affair with another Asian American woman. —The New Yorker, 12 June 2024

Word History

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense 1

Kids Definition

break off

verb

: to stop suddenly