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
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of break off
The scene where ‘80s teen Marty McFly borrows a scooter from a bewildered ‘50s kid and breaks off the handles to make a skateboard is one of the film’s most iconic moments.
—
Charlotte Observer, 21 Oct. 2025
Second, the flowing glacier brings more ice forward to replace what breaks off, slowing the cliff’s inland retreat and making a chain reaction of cliff toppling less likely.
—Evan Howell, Quanta Magazine, 20 Oct. 2025
On the ensuing drive, Christian Simmons broke off a 32-yard touchdown run.
—Brendan Connelly, Boston Herald, 17 Oct. 2025
As spring approaches and temperatures warm, the sand heats up and blocks of ice break off, sliding and sublimating their way through the Martian sand, according to a statement from Utrecht University.
—Samantha Mathewson, Space.com, 16 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for break off
Charlotte Observer, 21 Oct. 2025
Second, the flowing glacier brings more ice forward to replace what breaks off, slowing the cliff’s inland retreat and making a chain reaction of cliff toppling less likely.
—Evan Howell, Quanta Magazine, 20 Oct. 2025
On the ensuing drive, Christian Simmons broke off a 32-yard touchdown run.
—Brendan Connelly, Boston Herald, 17 Oct. 2025
As spring approaches and temperatures warm, the sand heats up and blocks of ice break off, sliding and sublimating their way through the Martian sand, according to a statement from Utrecht University.
—Samantha Mathewson, Space.com, 16 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for break off
Recent Examples of Synonyms for break off
Verb
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The former instantly adds a second layer of security against unwanted guests, and the latter emits an ultra-loud alarm while acting like a door stop wedge, scaring off any stranger who tries to enter your room.—
Amelia McBride,
Travel + Leisure,
26 Oct. 2025
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And Los Angeles did not stop there.—
Jacob Lev,
CNN Money,
26 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Trump then boarded Air Force One without speaking the the media, ending his consequential tour of Asia.—
Betsy Klein,
CNN Money,
30 Oct. 2025
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His tenure ended after consecutive losses to his former Notre Dame defensive coordinators Clark Lea (now the Vanderbilt head coach) and Mike Elko (Texas A&M), putting him at 34-14 in Baton Rouge.—
Chris Vannini,
New York Times,
30 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Timor-Leste’s oil and gas wells are already running dry, with oil production at the Bayu-Undan field in the Timor Sea—the country’s only producing field—ceasing production in June 2025.—
Angelica Ang,
Fortune,
30 Oct. 2025
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The pattern held on many Western rivers; without regulations on what people could keep, wild fisheries would simply cease to exist.—
Christine Peterson,
Outdoor Life,
30 Oct. 2025
Verb
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What happens if the enhanced subsidies expire?—
Berkeley Lovelace Jr,
NBC news,
31 Oct. 2025
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There is some opinion that the Lakers may be selling at the peak, given that new national NBA TV deals are expected to drop in monetary value after the current one expires in a few years.—
Tom Tapp,
Deadline,
30 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Advocates and beneficiaries say halting the food aid would force people to choose between buying groceries and paying other bills.—
Eleanor Pringle,
Fortune,
3 Nov. 2025
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Tens of millions of Americans are now feeling the impact as federal food assistance halted over the weekend and travelers experienced chaos at major airports.—
Kevin Shalvey,
ABC News,
3 Nov. 2025
Verb
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This has led to more than 60% of online searches concluding without the user ever clicking on an actual website result.—
Maria Williams,
USA Today,
31 Oct. 2025
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Finally, panelists concluded by talking about the importance of guardrails that protect creators and their intellectual property.—
Andrew McGowan,
Variety,
31 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Furious about this, Jane quit the sorority.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
4 Nov. 2025
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Authorities are now hoping to cut down on smoking everywhere across the archipelago, with plans to set up anti-smoking clinics that will offer medication to help people quit tobacco products.—
Jessie Yeung,
CNN Money,
3 Nov. 2025
Verb
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But despite his entreaties, including meeting with Putin in Alaska, floating sanctions relief, and threatening to cut off aid to Kyiv, the Russian president has refused to be charmed into giving up on his invasion.—
Mira Rapp-Hooper,
Foreign Affairs,
29 Oct. 2025
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For all roses except climbing types, cut off the top third of the plant.—
Karen Brewer Grossman,
Southern Living,
28 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Break off.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/break%20off. Accessed 4 Nov. 2025.
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