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

The Rams came out strong to start the second half, Corum breaking off a 23-yard touchdown run for a 17-9 lead. — Los Angeles Times, 2 Nov. 2026

Ernest took a pretzel from his pocket and broke off pieces for Lyndon Johnson. — Madeline Ffitch, Harpers Magazine, 27 Oct. 2026

The images appear to show various pieces of the machine scratched and broken off, including an arm and headrest. — Colson Thayer, PEOPLE, 23 Oct. 2026

After Kao’s 2020 indictment, the University of South Carolina broke off the partnership. — Molly Redden, ProPublica, 20 Oct. 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