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
Work is continuing to try to stabilize the Pacifica Municipal Pier, which began cracking at its base on June 4 and is now in danger of breaking off and falling into the water.
—
John Ramos, CBS News, 16 June 2026
That trail of vaporizing particles breaking off the asteroid causes a bright streak of light across the sky called a meteor, or colloquially a shooting star.
—Adam Lark, The Conversation, 16 June 2026
And in San Clemente, the pier was closed until Wednesday afternoon as waves reached its underside and appeared to break off some wood and wash it to shore.
—Laylan Connelly, Oc Register, 11 June 2026
According to the reports, the malfunctions occurred during the ride's signature ‘tilt' portion, where the segment of track containing the ride vehicle breaks off completely and tilts forward 45 degrees before reconnecting to another piece of track at a 90-degree angle to the ground below.
—Colson Thayer, PEOPLE, 10 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for break off
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John Ramos, CBS News, 16 June 2026
That trail of vaporizing particles breaking off the asteroid causes a bright streak of light across the sky called a meteor, or colloquially a shooting star.
—Adam Lark, The Conversation, 16 June 2026
And in San Clemente, the pier was closed until Wednesday afternoon as waves reached its underside and appeared to break off some wood and wash it to shore.
—Laylan Connelly, Oc Register, 11 June 2026
According to the reports, the malfunctions occurred during the ride's signature ‘tilt' portion, where the segment of track containing the ride vehicle breaks off completely and tilts forward 45 degrees before reconnecting to another piece of track at a 90-degree angle to the ground below.
—Colson Thayer, PEOPLE, 10 June 2026
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 Jun. 2026.
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