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

Ahmed Abdullahi, chair of the Council of Governors, last week urged nurses to call off their strike and give the government time for negotiations. — ABC News, 8 Sep. 2026

The two sides later launched trade talks and called off some of their most stringent measures, but tensions have remained high. — Joe Walsh, CBS News, 8 Sep. 2026

Two months ago, weather conditions and the threat of heavy thunderstorms in the area were reasons enough for the village to call off both the village’s parade and fireworks show on the day this country celebrated its 250th anniversary. — Jerry Shnay, Chicago Tribune, 7 Sep. 2026

The rescue effort had already been called off in August because of Link’s own troubles in orbit, but the company wanted the practice for future satellite-servicing missions. — Marcia Dunn, Los Angeles Times, 6 Sep. 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