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.
UConn Health abruptly reversed course Friday, calling off a plan to cut stipends aimed at recruitment and retention for 260 nurses. Livi Stanford, Hartford Courant, 28 June 2025 What to do about it: Don't call off your overseas travel plans just yet. Christopher Elliott, USA Today, 27 June 2025 However, after many attempts to get the long-gestating project off the ground, it was called off for good. Karu F. Daniels, New York Daily News, 27 June 2025 Not much is known about their relationship, but it was reported that Sánchez called off her engagement with Simmons shortly after meeting her ex-husband, Patrick Whitesell. Christina Dugan Ramirez, FOXNews.com, 26 June 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 1 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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