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
Among efforts—three engagements to women that ended up breaking off.
—
Cathy Applefeld Olson, Forbes.com, 22 May 2026
Two of Rubén’s older sons, who married Russian acrobats during international stints, broke off and founded their own troupe as Circus Caballero.
—Andrea Flores, Los Angeles Times, 19 May 2026
Don’t twist or jerk the tick, which can cause the mouth to break off in your skin.
—Don Sweeney, Sacbee.com, 18 May 2026
This prompted the officer to break off the chase.
—Cecilio Padilla, CBS News, 15 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for break off
Cathy Applefeld Olson, Forbes.com, 22 May 2026
Two of Rubén’s older sons, who married Russian acrobats during international stints, broke off and founded their own troupe as Circus Caballero.
—Andrea Flores, Los Angeles Times, 19 May 2026
Don’t twist or jerk the tick, which can cause the mouth to break off in your skin.
—Don Sweeney, Sacbee.com, 18 May 2026
This prompted the officer to break off the chase.
—Cecilio Padilla, CBS News, 15 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for break off
Recent Examples of Synonyms for break off
Verb
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In order to secure the funds, the family members submitted fake financial instruments and money orders, continuing to do so even after the IRS sent them letters telling them to stop, according to the statement.—
Lillie Davidson,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
3 June 2026
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The order, which Trump signed in private on June 2, stops short of mandating that the federal government conduct safety evaluations and cybersecurity testing for advanced AI products.—
Joey Garrison,
USA Today,
3 June 2026
Verb
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All of them fought unsuccessfully to end the oversight arrangement — repeatedly coming close, only to watch the department once again become embroiled in scandal.—
Jakob Rodgers,
Mercury News,
28 May 2026
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The Emmy-winning comedy, which ends Thursday after five seasons on HBO Max, had a stressful and thrilling penultimate episode.—
Emily Yahr,
Washington Post,
28 May 2026
Verb
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Or maybe fun and games ceased some 20 years ago when Facebook, Twitter and Instagram launched and anonymous threats could be dispatched by anyone with an account.—
Steve Henson,
Los Angeles Times,
1 June 2026
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Drone strikes on the UAE are still occurring sporadically, but the wide-scale alerts of the early conflict have ceased — along with the associated distress.—
Melanie Swan,
CNN Money,
1 June 2026
Verb
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Ryan Wilcox, a spokesperson for GDP, told CBS Colorado that the company's ground lease expired May 25.—
Brian Maass,
CBS News,
2 June 2026
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The National Weather Service issued a flash flood warning, which has since expired, for parts of northeastern Wyandotte County, southeastern Platte County, and southwestern Clay County after the thunderstorms dumped 3 inches or more.—
Kansas City Star,
Kansas City Star,
2 June 2026
Verb
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Russian military bloggers have warned that even small mines scattered along key highways could repeatedly halt traffic for inspections and demining operations.—
David Kirichenko,
Forbes.com,
30 May 2026
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And last year, City Council took a 12-0 vote to direct Feldstein Soto to withdraw an effort to halt a federal judge’s order prohibiting LAPD officers from targeting journalists with crowd control weapons.—
Melissa Gomez,
Los Angeles Times,
30 May 2026
Verb
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The day concluded with the endorsement of Tad Jude as candidate for secretary of state, with Republicans attempting to oust Democrat Steve Simon, who is running for a fourth term.—
Jay Gabler,
Twin Cities,
30 May 2026
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Qatar Sports Investments bought PSG in 2011, the deal concluded just under a year after the tiny Gulf state of Qatar was named host nation for the 2022 World Cup.—
Nick Miller,
New York Times,
30 May 2026
Verb
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And in September 2021, Nafis quit her job and devoted herself full-time to growing flowers.—
The Washington Post,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
30 May 2026
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Michael grudgingly agrees to hand over the agency to Jimmy and Kayla, prompting many staff members to immediately quit during a keynote presentation.—
Anthony Robledo,
USA Today,
29 May 2026
Verb
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So the Devil orders the father to cut off his daughter’s offending hands.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
3 June 2026
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The strait’s closure continues to cut off 20% of the world’s oil supply from global markets, along with liquid natural gas and fertilizer needed for a functioning global economy.—
Vanessa Yurkevich,
CNN Money,
2 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Break off.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/break%20off. Accessed 3 Jun. 2026.
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