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
The former couple announced their engagement in December The singer-songwriter, 27, and her music producer beau have broken off their engagement, PEOPLE confirms.
—
Rachel Desantis, People.com, 31 July 2025
One or two broke off from the group and began to spray-paint graffiti on cars and a guard structure in the detention center's parking lot, the complaint said.
—Khaleda Rahman, MSNBC Newsweek, 10 July 2025
As South America broke off from the supercontinent of Gondwanaland, volcanoes and earthquakes shook the Earth, causing landslides.
—Sara Hashemi, Smithsonian Magazine, 8 July 2025
Some were breaking off from cicada damage from last year.
—Tim Johnson, Chicago Tribune, 5 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for break off
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Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
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Rachel Desantis, People.com, 31 July 2025
One or two broke off from the group and began to spray-paint graffiti on cars and a guard structure in the detention center's parking lot, the complaint said.
—Khaleda Rahman, MSNBC Newsweek, 10 July 2025
As South America broke off from the supercontinent of Gondwanaland, volcanoes and earthquakes shook the Earth, causing landslides.
—Sara Hashemi, Smithsonian Magazine, 8 July 2025
Some were breaking off from cicada damage from last year.
—Tim Johnson, Chicago Tribune, 5 July 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 19 Aug. 2025.
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