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
According to the New York Post, visitors broke off parts of the headstone as souvenirs.
—
Christopher Rudolph, PEOPLE, 8 Oct. 2025
Barber, the detective, testified that the tip of that knife was broken off, and there appeared to be blood on the blade and handle.
—City News Service, San Diego Union-Tribune, 8 Oct. 2025
The program said the opposing aircraft broke off the engagement and withdrew from the area, and the jet model involved had not returned to the Chinese coast since.
—Kapil Kajal, Interesting Engineering, 7 Oct. 2025
The issue is that opposing offenses have tended to run at him, like when Panthers tailback Rico Dowdle broke off a 25-yard run right before the end of the first half.
—Miami Herald, 7 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for break off
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Christopher Rudolph, PEOPLE, 8 Oct. 2025
Barber, the detective, testified that the tip of that knife was broken off, and there appeared to be blood on the blade and handle.
—City News Service, San Diego Union-Tribune, 8 Oct. 2025
The program said the opposing aircraft broke off the engagement and withdrew from the area, and the jet model involved had not returned to the Chinese coast since.
—Kapil Kajal, Interesting Engineering, 7 Oct. 2025
The issue is that opposing offenses have tended to run at him, like when Panthers tailback Rico Dowdle broke off a 25-yard run right before the end of the first half.
—Miami Herald, 7 Oct. 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 10 Oct. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share