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
Morejón is throwing harder than ever and still breaking off some dastardly breaking pitches and throwing an increasingly wicked changeup.
—
Kevin Acee, San Diego Union-Tribune, 4 May 2026
The officers enter the estate, and Athena and Hooks break off by themselves to find Nikolay.
—Christopher Rudolph, PEOPLE, 1 May 2026
That Sun team, led by Tina Charles, is beating the breaks off the Sparks.
—Kiese Laymon, Vanity Fair, 30 Apr. 2026
Baun has mostly played off the ball, in the box, but will break off and rush the passer off the edge at times, too.
—Nick Harris, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 29 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for break off
Kevin Acee, San Diego Union-Tribune, 4 May 2026
The officers enter the estate, and Athena and Hooks break off by themselves to find Nikolay.
—Christopher Rudolph, PEOPLE, 1 May 2026
That Sun team, led by Tina Charles, is beating the breaks off the Sparks.
—Kiese Laymon, Vanity Fair, 30 Apr. 2026
Baun has mostly played off the ball, in the box, but will break off and rush the passer off the edge at times, too.
—Nick Harris, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 29 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for break off
Recent Examples of Synonyms for break off
Verb
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This $20 maxi dress is versatile enough to serve multiple occasions and seasons—and shoppers can’t stop buying multiples of them.—
Paige Bennett,
Better Homes & Gardens,
13 May 2026
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Goalkeeper Isabell Ikirt stopped a shot by Oconee County’s Sydney Jackson, prompting celebration by Jefferson, but the Dragons were told Ikirt had come off the line.—
Sarah Spencer,
AJC.com,
13 May 2026
Verb
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Detroit catcher Dylan Dinger’s throw wasn’t in time to get Bichette, but shortstop Zach Short threw home to get Benge, ending the inning with the game still tied.—
Abbey Mastracco,
New York Daily News,
14 May 2026
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Seiya Suzuki, up for the second time with two on, struck out to end the eighth.—
Meghan Montemurro,
Chicago Tribune,
14 May 2026
Verb
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During his temporary leadership, FEMA ceased door-to-door canvassing to reach survivors after disasters, and canceled a multibillion-dollar resilience grant program, since restored by a federal judge.—
Gabriela Aoun Angueira,
Los Angeles Times,
12 May 2026
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The 47,000-square-foot store has been vacant since last June, when retail operations ceased following parent company Kroger’s decision to close several Chicago-area and suburban stores.—
Claire Murphy,
Chicago Tribune,
11 May 2026
Verb
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Second-year guard Sarah Ashlee Barker scored the game-winner on a put-back right before time expired, and pandemonium ensued.—
Sabreena Merchant,
New York Times,
13 May 2026
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An Israeli source told CNN that the idea of a sunset clause has been floated in negotiations – a provision that would allow some restrictions to expire after a set number of years.—
Tal Shalev,
CNN Money,
12 May 2026
Verb
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The Lakers were the tortoise by the game’s final buzzer, clearly gassed after trying to halt the revolving door of Oklahoma City bench options.—
Benjamin Royer,
Oc Register,
10 May 2026
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The 2-2 draw halted San Diego’s five-match losing streak in MLS play, but stretched its winless run across all competitions to nine matches.—
Eddie Brown,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
9 May 2026
Verb
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But on the flip side, some studies conclude that CODAs learn from playing interpreter at a young age to communicate better personally and professionally later in life, and may grow up endowed with special talents for conveying and reading facial expressions and gestures.—
Bob Brody,
Baltimore Sun,
9 May 2026
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The Supreme Court paved the way for the phenomenon in a series of rulings, concluding that political spending is free speech.—
David Zahniser,
Los Angeles Times,
9 May 2026
Verb
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Food aside, Sloane’s refusal to quit was the biggest factor, according to Lincoln-Way Central coach Ryan Kutt.—
Steve Millar,
Chicago Tribune,
9 May 2026
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Then, about a week after the jury was announced, its members collectively quit, without an explanation.—
Alex Greenberger,
ARTnews.com,
9 May 2026
Verb
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The fact that Iran could so easily cut off the world’s access to a fifth of global oil with some mines, makeshift drones and speed boats will require some serious reckoning – and permanent changes.—
David Goldman,
CNN Money,
12 May 2026
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And nearly all of Iran’s population has been cut off from the internet since the war began.—
Jackie Northam,
NPR,
12 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Break off.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/break%20off. Accessed 14 May. 2026.
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