call off

verb

called off; calling off; calls off

transitive verb

1
: to draw away : divert
2
: cancel

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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
To call off the project now, as many of its detractors in the White House desire, would waste years of advancement. Theo Burman, MSNBC Newsweek, 17 July 2025 These altercations precipitated the decision by Navarro, Avery and Perkins to both call off the rest of the band’s North American tour. Thania Garcia, Variety, 16 July 2025 Smith was set to buy the luxury car, but Mitchell called off the sale after the 21-year-old’s wire transfer did not go through, according to authorities. Sean Neumann, People.com, 15 July 2025 The Harley-Davidson Homecoming concerts at Veterans Park July 12 are proceeding as planned after the concerts July 11 were called off around 6 p.m. due to approaching storms. Piet Levy, jsonline.com, 12 July 2025 See All Example Sentences for call off

Word History

First Known Use

1606, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of call off was in 1606

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Call off.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/call%20off. Accessed 25 Jul. 2025.

Kids Definition

call off

verb
1
: to draw away : divert
call off a dog
2
: cancel sense 2a
call off a meeting

More from Merriam-Webster on call off

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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