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
Kelly's parents reportedly disapproved of the union, and she was forced to break off the engagement.
—
Emma Banks, InStyle, 18 Jan. 2026
Banzai Pipeline, a surf break off Ehukai Beach Park, is popular for surf contests, and Sunset Beach lives up to its name as a favorite for enjoying sunset views.
—Sunny Fitzgerald, Travel + Leisure, 18 Jan. 2026
Firefighters discovered that a cap beam atop a pillar had broken off and toppled, throwing six workers roughly 30 feet and trapping one inside the concrete form work platform, Sanchez said.
—Milena Malaver, Miami Herald, 17 Jan. 2026
To do so, break off a small piece of the pod and dissolve it in a bucket of warm water.
—Madeline Buiano, Martha Stewart, 17 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for break off
Emma Banks, InStyle, 18 Jan. 2026
Banzai Pipeline, a surf break off Ehukai Beach Park, is popular for surf contests, and Sunset Beach lives up to its name as a favorite for enjoying sunset views.
—Sunny Fitzgerald, Travel + Leisure, 18 Jan. 2026
Firefighters discovered that a cap beam atop a pillar had broken off and toppled, throwing six workers roughly 30 feet and trapping one inside the concrete form work platform, Sanchez said.
—Milena Malaver, Miami Herald, 17 Jan. 2026
To do so, break off a small piece of the pod and dissolve it in a bucket of warm water.
—Madeline Buiano, Martha Stewart, 17 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for break off
Recent Examples of Synonyms for break off
Verb
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If this is your habit, be sure to stop adding fertilizer in the fall when plant growth begins to slow.—
Alexandra Jones,
The Spruce,
21 Jan. 2026
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When boat rentals stop for the winter, plan to take a walk around the basin instead of paddling on it for equally impressive views.—
Cailey Rizzo,
Travel + Leisure,
21 Jan. 2026
Verb
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The chase ended when the vehicle broke down near Buena Vista Road and Westside Boulevard.—
Jason Green,
Mercury News,
22 Jan. 2026
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For the week ending January 18, 2026 Here are this week’s Independent Press Top 40 Bestsellers for fiction, based on sales in hundreds of independent bookstores nationwide, generously provided by the American Booksellers Association.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
22 Jan. 2026
Verb
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In recent years, Blackhawk Bar & Grille and Century Theaters ceased operations at Blackhawk Plaza, which removed significant anchors from the center.—
George Avalos,
Mercury News,
12 Jan. 2026
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At that point, the issue ceased to be solely about Maduro and became about precedent.—
Richard Kiy,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
12 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Lauck noted that Halligan’s temporary appointment expired Tuesday.—
Kaelan Deese,
The Washington Examiner,
21 Jan. 2026
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Lawmakers also are debating health care legislation as insurance premiums rise after Affordable Care Act subsidies expired.—
Zac Anderson,
USA Today,
20 Jan. 2026
Verb
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DoorDash has temporarily halted deliveries across Dallas-Fort Worth as a powerful winter storm sweeps across the country, bringing heavy snow and ice to more than 230 million people, according to the company.—
Doug Myers,
CBS News,
24 Jan. 2026
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The packed, standing-room-only crowds drew the fire department’s attention and the show had to be halted one time so a man having a heart attack could be taken out.—
Judith Kohler,
Denver Post,
24 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Crespi will also conclude regular-season play on Tuesday, before the Mission League tournament, with a home battle with Loyola.—
Justin Vigil Zuniga,
Daily News,
25 Jan. 2026
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Washington County District Attorney's Office The FBI lab, which examined this evidence, concluded that the mud on Debe's car tire did not match the mud where her car was found.—
Sarah Prior,
CBS News,
25 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Hechtman, who quit drinking in 2021 after participating in Dry January, a challenge to abstain from alcohol for 31 days, said her social life has flourished since then.—
Aria Bendix,
NBC news,
24 Jan. 2026
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Eskander had been part of the original canon committee, but quit a year into the work.—
Colton Valentine,
New Yorker,
24 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Stems that have turned yellow or brown should be cut off right away while stems that are still green should be pruned only selectively as described below.—
Nadia Hassani,
The Spruce,
20 Jan. 2026
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The sweeping proposals include cutting off federal Medicaid and Medicare funding from hospitals that provide gender-affirming care to children and prohibiting federal Medicaid dollars from being used to fund such procedures.—
Adam Harrington,
CBS News,
20 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Break off.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/break%20off. Accessed 25 Jan. 2026.
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