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 of break off

• stop
• cease
• end
• halt
• quit
• cut off
• lay off
• knock off
• shut off
• cut out

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

It was found empty with a key broken off in the driver's side door lock, according to police. —Jt Moodee Lockman, CBS News, 22 Apr. 2026

According to the news release, the vehicle was found parked and unoccupied, with a key broken off in the driver’s door lock. —Lily Carey, Baltimore Sun, 21 Apr. 2026

During meteor showers, Earthlings ooh and aah over bits of rock that have broken off comets or asteroids as the travel around the sun. —Claire Cameron, Scientific American, 20 Apr. 2026

Summer thunderstorms and winds easily topple large plants in small containers, breaking off plant parts and making a mess. —Andy Wilcox, Better Homes & Gardens, 16 Apr. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

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

Rhymes for break off

• ashraf
• checkoff
• cutoff
• falloff
• handoff
• kickoff
• layoff
• liftoff
• markoff
• markov
• payoff
• playoff

Kids Definition

break off

verb

: to stop suddenly