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
Bleach can cause your hair to break off.
—
Caroline C. Boyle, USA Today, 20 Feb. 2026
Like Andrew, Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick also claimed to have broken off contact with Epstein—in his case, in 2005, after seeing Epstein’s massage room in New York—but the files revealed that the association continued for many years afterward.
—Helen Lewis, The Atlantic, 19 Feb. 2026
About 10 minutes later, one or two members of the group broke off to spray-paint vehicles and the guard booth.
—Emerson Clarridge
updated February 17, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 18 Feb. 2026
The same tip had already broken off during an act of vandalism in 2016, Rome’s city hall said.
—ABC News, 18 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for break off
Caroline C. Boyle, USA Today, 20 Feb. 2026
Like Andrew, Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick also claimed to have broken off contact with Epstein—in his case, in 2005, after seeing Epstein’s massage room in New York—but the files revealed that the association continued for many years afterward.
—Helen Lewis, The Atlantic, 19 Feb. 2026
About 10 minutes later, one or two members of the group broke off to spray-paint vehicles and the guard booth.
—Emerson Clarridge
updated February 17, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 18 Feb. 2026
The same tip had already broken off during an act of vandalism in 2016, Rome’s city hall said.
—ABC News, 18 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for break off
Recent Examples of Synonyms for break off
Verb
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The video, shared by the Chino Police Department, shows two vehicles stopping at a red light in front of and behind a big rig on Friday.—
Terry Castleman,
Los Angeles Times,
25 Feb. 2026
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Evan Geyen stopped 20 shots in goal for Delano.—
Andrew Cornelius,
Twin Cities,
25 Feb. 2026
Verb
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The Wolverines would still need to beat Maryland to end the season and make a run in the Big Ten tournament to earn a chance at a 1-seed.—
Cameron Teague Robinson,
New York Times,
26 Feb. 2026
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The reunions did not end there.—
Joseph Dycus,
Mercury News,
26 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Nearly every country in Europe has significantly reduced or ceased Russian energy imports since Moscow launched its full-scale war in Ukraine.—
SAM McNEIL,
Arkansas Online,
24 Feb. 2026
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Nearly every country in Europe has significantly reduced or entirely ceased Russian energy imports since Moscow launched its full-scale war in Ukraine.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
23 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Tonje, a trade-deadline pickup, and Banton, who spent time with Boston during the 2023-24 season, are on 10-day contracts that expire this weekend.—
Zack Cox,
Boston Herald,
25 Feb. 2026
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Fifth Avenue Landing currently holds a lease for that parcel, which expires in mid-2027.—
Lori Weisberg,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
25 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Ending those protections could halt their authorization to work legally in the United States and expose more to possible deportation, especially the 800 people with pending applications, according to the International Refugee Assistance Project.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
27 Feb. 2026
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Trump wants Iran to completely halt its enrichment of uranium and roll back both its long-range missile program and its support for regional armed groups.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
26 Feb. 2026
Verb
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That concludes today’s Sports Report Olympic Edition newsletter.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
22 Feb. 2026
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Serafini, who wanted to testify in his trial but was advised not to, concluded his testimony Friday morning in the evidentiary hearing.—
Rosalio Ahumada,
Sacbee.com,
21 Feb. 2026
Verb
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In one of the most improbable comebacks in the history of figure skating, Alysa Liu of the United States, who quit the sport after the 2022 Beijing Olympics, reclaimed her career on her own joyous terms and won the gold medal in the women’s competition on Thursday at the Milan-Cortina Games.—
Bora Erden,
New York Times,
20 Feb. 2026
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For those trips where winter refuses to quit, this cozy knit set is the answer.—
Chaise Sanders,
Travel + Leisure,
20 Feb. 2026
Verb
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The thought of being cut off from the rich traditions of Istanbul, where waves of people come together, was the biggest challenge of our first year in a foreign land.—
Yunus Emre Tozal,
Chicago Tribune,
23 Feb. 2026
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Athletes were cut off from their family and friends.—
Sara Germano,
Sportico.com,
23 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Break off.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/break%20off. Accessed 28 Feb. 2026.
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