1
as in to stop
to bring (as an action or operation) to an immediate end
the judge broke off court proceedings until after lunch
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to end
to come to an end
talks between the two sides broke off when one began making unreasonable demands
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of break off
The woman received numerous unwanted phone calls and text messages from Moore after attempting to break off contact, according to the prosecution.
—
Austin Meek, New York Times, 22 Jan. 2026
Parents should look for a toy that is sturdy and does not have too many small parts that can get lost or broken off.
—Bestreviews, Mercury News, 21 Jan. 2026
But during that process, part of the fishing gear broke off, along with the tracking buoy.
—Neal Riley, CBS News, 20 Jan. 2026
Perry broke off her long engagement to actor Orlando Bloom last year.
—Ashleigh Fields, The Hill, 20 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for break off
Austin Meek, New York Times, 22 Jan. 2026
Parents should look for a toy that is sturdy and does not have too many small parts that can get lost or broken off.
—Bestreviews, Mercury News, 21 Jan. 2026
But during that process, part of the fishing gear broke off, along with the tracking buoy.
—Neal Riley, CBS News, 20 Jan. 2026
Perry broke off her long engagement to actor Orlando Bloom last year.
—Ashleigh Fields, The Hill, 20 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for break off
Recent Examples of Synonyms for break off
Verb
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Contraceptives acting on spermatogenesis take a few weeks to kick in, and fertility takes a few weeks to return when a man stops using them.—
Ana Castelain,
Bloomberg,
28 Jan. 2026
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Either way, Mahomes’ reaction, and reportedly Belichick’s, doesn’t stop there.—
Scott Thompson,
FOXNews.com,
28 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Tesla signaled a major shift in its business as CEO Elon Musk told investors the company will end production of its longest-running premium electric vehicles.—
Sujita Sinha,
Interesting Engineering,
29 Jan. 2026
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That lawsuit ended earlier this month after the immigrant detainee who filed the case agreed to be removed from the United States.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
29 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Cardozo added that all milking operations have ceased, and some beef and non-lactating dairy cattle are still grazing.—
Richard Halstead,
Mercury News,
26 Jan. 2026
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Désirée Zamorano Writer and educator Désirée Zamorano recalls the intensity of the time surrounding the Eaton fire last year, bookended by political stress, which hasn’t ceased.—
Erica Zora Wrightson,
Los Angeles Times,
26 Jan. 2026
Verb
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The decision leaves intact a three-judge panel’s ruling that Habba’s appointment became unlawful once her 120-day interim term expired.—
Kaelan Deese,
The Washington Examiner,
27 Jan. 2026
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As is often the case with media rights, the amount started lower than that, and with escalators, the value will eventually exceed the yearly $334 million when the 25-year deal expires.—
Maury Brown,
Forbes.com,
27 Jan. 2026
Verb
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His transfer to the VA psychiatric facility was delayed until December because Taras’ arrest on federal charges halted proceedings in a state court plea agreement that would have allowed him to be admitted sooner.—
Sharon Bernstein,
Sacbee.com,
31 Jan. 2026
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The lawsuit sought a quick order to halt the enforcement action or limit its scope.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
31 Jan. 2026
Verb
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In the meantime, here are four things (there’s plenty more) to know about the globally renowned festival that concludes Sunday and the one headed to Colorado in January 2027.—
Lisa Kennedy,
Denver Post,
31 Jan. 2026
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As the Snake year concludes, releasing excess nervous energy becomes essential.—
Valerie Mesa,
PEOPLE,
31 Jan. 2026
Verb
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The approach can reduce the risk of injury, exhaustion and people quitting altogether, Stanford said.—
Deirdre Bardolf,
FOXNews.com,
31 Jan. 2026
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Yet O'Hara, who in 1981 quit Saturday Night Live after one week, has earned a reputation as a performer who doesn't want to work.—
Toria Sheffield,
PEOPLE,
31 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Cumming said the city's information technology department also abruptly cut off part of her office administrator's access, including the ability to see who else in city government may be looking at whistleblower complaints and documents related to ethics investigations.—
Mike Hellgren,
CBS News,
28 Jan. 2026
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The drug cuts off access to vitamin A in the testes by blocking a receptor known as RAR alpha.—
Ana Castelain,
Bloomberg,
28 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Break off.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/break%20off. Accessed 2 Feb. 2026.
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