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
Synonyms
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 two companies broke off their 15-year relationship in 2023 after an acrimonious dispute.
—
Patrick Frater, Variety, 15 Apr. 2024
Mexico’s president called Noboa’s move a violation of international law and responded by breaking off diplomatic relations with Ecuador.
—Samantha Schmidt, Washington Post, 12 Apr. 2024
Everyone gathers around the pot with wooden spoons and breaks off chunks.
—Lee Marshall, Condé Nast Traveler, 6 Apr. 2024
Unable to make ends meet in his high-end lifestyle, he’s approached by Fatima (Kerry Washington), his ex-fiancé who came out as a lesbian when Jack caught her in an act of infidelity with a woman and broke off their engagement.
—Rivea Ruff, Essence, 5 Apr. 2024
Weber went on to become The Bachelor and ended his season by breaking off his engagement to finalist Hannah Ann Sluss in order to pursue a relationship with another contestant, Madison Prewett.
—Dana Rose Falcone, Peoplemag, 12 Mar. 2024
That spring, as Russian troops broke off an attempt to seize the capital, Kyiv, the names of suburban communities like Bucha became synonymous with stories of Ukrainian civilians tortured and murdered.
—Sabra Ayres, Los Angeles Times, 24 Feb. 2024
Most of them are pieces that broke off of larger objects in space, like comets or even the moon and other planets.
—Emily Mae Czachor, CBS News, 22 Feb. 2024
Close by, a snow cornice had broken off and tipped into the crater.
—Emily Mae Czachor, CBS News, 3 Apr. 2024
Patrick Frater, Variety, 15 Apr. 2024
Mexico’s president called Noboa’s move a violation of international law and responded by breaking off diplomatic relations with Ecuador.
—Samantha Schmidt, Washington Post, 12 Apr. 2024
Everyone gathers around the pot with wooden spoons and breaks off chunks.
—Lee Marshall, Condé Nast Traveler, 6 Apr. 2024
Unable to make ends meet in his high-end lifestyle, he’s approached by Fatima (Kerry Washington), his ex-fiancé who came out as a lesbian when Jack caught her in an act of infidelity with a woman and broke off their engagement.
—Rivea Ruff, Essence, 5 Apr. 2024
Weber went on to become The Bachelor and ended his season by breaking off his engagement to finalist Hannah Ann Sluss in order to pursue a relationship with another contestant, Madison Prewett.
—Dana Rose Falcone, Peoplemag, 12 Mar. 2024
That spring, as Russian troops broke off an attempt to seize the capital, Kyiv, the names of suburban communities like Bucha became synonymous with stories of Ukrainian civilians tortured and murdered.
—Sabra Ayres, Los Angeles Times, 24 Feb. 2024
Most of them are pieces that broke off of larger objects in space, like comets or even the moon and other planets.
—Emily Mae Czachor, CBS News, 22 Feb. 2024
Close by, a snow cornice had broken off and tipped into the crater.
—Emily Mae Czachor, CBS News, 3 Apr. 2024
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'break off.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near break off
Cite this Entry
“Break off.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/break%20off. Accessed 23 Apr. 2024.
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