call off

verb

called off; calling off; calls off

transitive verb

1

: to draw away : divert

2

: cancel

Synonyms of call off

• distract
• divert
• throw off

Examples of call off in a Sentence

she was about to tell me the big news when her attention was called off by the arrival of another guest

called off the party after half of those invited couldn't make it

Recent Examples on the Web

After previously calling off an engagement, BelléJolie Force is a singer who is searching for her Prince Charming. — Kelly Allen, PEOPLE, 13 July 2026

The search was called off the morning of July 6, after a park ranger discovered a body near the island, later confirmed to be Wells through dental records. — Anthony Thompson, USA Today, 10 July 2026

After nearly an hour, then-IDOC Director Josh Tewalt called off the execution. — Kevin Fixler, Idaho Statesman, 10 July 2026

Her work on the show has remained consistent even as unspecified health issues have forced her to slow down some and call off a bunch of live dates. — Jon Blistein, Rolling Stone, 7 July 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1606, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for call off

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

Kids Definition

call off

verb

1

: to draw away : divert

call off a dog

2

: cancel sense 2a

call off a meeting