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
During meteor showers, Earthlings ooh and aah over bits of rock that have broken off comets or asteroids as the travel around the sun.
—
Claire Cameron, Scientific American, 20 Apr. 2026
Summer thunderstorms and winds easily topple large plants in small containers, breaking off plant parts and making a mess.
—Andy Wilcox, Better Homes & Gardens, 16 Apr. 2026
Many meteors originate from comets, breaking off as these celestial bodies approach the Sun, heating up and sprouting tails of dust and gas; this debris can fall into our atmosphere, manifesting as brilliant shooting stars.
—Sharon Adarlo, Futurism, 15 Apr. 2026
Many break off the attack entirely.
—Ryan Brennan, Kansas City Star, 13 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for break off
Claire Cameron, Scientific American, 20 Apr. 2026
Summer thunderstorms and winds easily topple large plants in small containers, breaking off plant parts and making a mess.
—Andy Wilcox, Better Homes & Gardens, 16 Apr. 2026
Many meteors originate from comets, breaking off as these celestial bodies approach the Sun, heating up and sprouting tails of dust and gas; this debris can fall into our atmosphere, manifesting as brilliant shooting stars.
—Sharon Adarlo, Futurism, 15 Apr. 2026
Many break off the attack entirely.
—Ryan Brennan, Kansas City Star, 13 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for break off
Recent Examples of Synonyms for break off
Verb
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On the mound for Monday’s 2-0 win, pitch count was the only thing that could stop Toma.—
Paul Johnson,
Chicago Tribune,
22 Apr. 2026
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If nerves come up, that’s part of the process, not a reason to stop.—
Tarot.com,
New York Daily News,
22 Apr. 2026
Verb
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The war ends, and marauding Russians confiscate the family estate.—
Becca Rothfeld,
New Yorker,
23 Apr. 2026
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In the sixth inning of Tuesday’s game, Rushing tagged out Jung Hoo Lee at home plate to end the inning.—
Bill Shaikin,
Los Angeles Times,
23 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Hollis then began posting occasional pictures of Pino from his Facebook page onto her own Facebook page, despite a judge’s order to cease.—
Carol Marbin Miller,
Miami Herald,
27 Apr. 2026
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Updates slowed after the original creators left the project, and new releases ceased entirely around 2007.—
Andrew Cunningham,
ArsTechnica,
27 Apr. 2026
Verb
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But Knicks forward Mikal Bridges missed a potential game-winning midrange baseline jumper as time expired.—
Darnell Mayberry,
New York Times,
21 Apr. 2026
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The president told Bloomberg in an interview Monday that the two-week ceasefire, which was announced April 7, would expire on Wednesday evening EDT, potentially giving a little more time for talks.—
Jared Gans,
The Hill,
21 Apr. 2026
Verb
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After the Lakers successfully halted Alperen Sengun’s potential game-winning shot at the other end, a James 3-point attempt from the left wing bounced off the rim at the regulation buzzer – sending the game to overtime.—
Benjamin Royer,
Oc Register,
25 Apr. 2026
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The loss ended Minnesota United’s four-match unbeaten run, halting the club’s momentum as both teams vie for top playoff positioning.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
25 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Chief Deputy Medical Examiner Jonathan Lucas concluded that Patton’s death was an accident caused by acute bacterial bronchopneumonia complicated by influenza A, with substance use disorder and the effects of methadone listed as contributing factors.—
Kelly Davis,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
26 Apr. 2026
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The Vikings could target him as an undrafted signing to bolster a defensive backs group that should look far different when the draft concludes.—
Alec Lewis,
New York Times,
25 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Research published last year on Japanese nursing homes found that robot adoption reduced worker quit rates and was associated with better care quality.—
Catherine Thorbecke,
Twin Cities,
25 Apr. 2026
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While Rose and Blue had both worked for the same software company, Rose had quit her job, and Blue was expected to return to work on April 1, but did not.—
Ingrid Vasquez,
PEOPLE,
25 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Global supply chains have been impacted by the war since the end of February and the chokehold on the Strait of Hormuz, cutting off some of the materials used in condom production.—
David Goldman,
CNN Money,
21 Apr. 2026
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The closed Strait of Hormuz, as well as export bans of refined fuel products from countries like China and South Korea, have cut off petrol supplies in Asia.—
Angelica Ang,
Fortune,
21 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Break off.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/break%20off. Accessed 29 Apr. 2026.
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