1
as in ending
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 stopping
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 breaking off
Among efforts—three engagements to women that ended up breaking off.
—
Cathy Applefeld Olson, Forbes.com, 22 May 2026
Honduras established diplomatic ties with China in 2023 after breaking off relations with Taiwan.
—ABC News, 8 May 2026
Filed by First Nations groups in Alberta, the lawsuit argues that the province breaking off from Canada would violate treaty rights.
—Chantelle Lee, Time, 5 May 2026
Morejón is throwing harder than ever and still breaking off some dastardly breaking pitches and throwing an increasingly wicked changeup.
—Kevin Acee, San Diego Union-Tribune, 4 May 2026
Snagless Ethernet cables have a protective cover over the plastic locking clip to keep it from accidentally getting caught on items and breaking off.
—Bestreviews, Chicago Tribune, 28 Apr. 2026
The goldendoodle’s shoulder tap felt almost human in its politeness, and the woman’s response — smiling, breaking off a piece and blowing on it — felt effortlessly warm.
—Samantha Agate, Miami Herald, 27 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
Cathy Applefeld Olson, Forbes.com, 22 May 2026
Honduras established diplomatic ties with China in 2023 after breaking off relations with Taiwan.
—ABC News, 8 May 2026
Filed by First Nations groups in Alberta, the lawsuit argues that the province breaking off from Canada would violate treaty rights.
—Chantelle Lee, Time, 5 May 2026
Morejón is throwing harder than ever and still breaking off some dastardly breaking pitches and throwing an increasingly wicked changeup.
—Kevin Acee, San Diego Union-Tribune, 4 May 2026
Snagless Ethernet cables have a protective cover over the plastic locking clip to keep it from accidentally getting caught on items and breaking off.
—Bestreviews, Chicago Tribune, 28 Apr. 2026
The goldendoodle’s shoulder tap felt almost human in its politeness, and the woman’s response — smiling, breaking off a piece and blowing on it — felt effortlessly warm.
—Samantha Agate, Miami Herald, 27 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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for breaking off
Verb
-
The state commission also suggested ending the program of allowing the sale of private mooring permits, and instead, the city develop a transition plan that is fair to current permit holders.—
Erika I. Ritchie,
Oc Register,
27 May 2026
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Another is ending ongoing wars, such as in Ukraine, Iran, and Palestine.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
27 May 2026
Verb
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Most of the night went on without a hitch, with several show-stopping moments bringing the audience to their feet, but like every live event, there were a few flubs and a couple eyebrow-raising choices.—
Brendan Le,
PEOPLE,
26 May 2026
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The four-time Grand Slam champion also recently wore a show-stopping outfit at the Met Gala in New York.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
26 May 2026
Verb
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Key indicators include clients engaging more with competitors, ceasing to credit your work in their successes, and offering delayed or forced responses to communications.—
Jodie Cook,
Forbes.com,
18 May 2026
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The Pennsylvania Democrat is unbowed by the intraparty criticism of his votes against ceasing the war — a position that last week proved decisive.—
Burgess Everett,
semafor.com,
18 May 2026
Verb
-
After 15 years, Microsoft will start expiring Secure Boot certificates on most PCs in June.—
Zak Doffman,
Forbes.com,
26 May 2026
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Manager David Moyes and the rest of the Everton hierarchy will also have to juggle expiring contracts, the exit of club captain Seamus Coleman and potentially find ways to fend off interest in star names.—
Patrick Boyland,
New York Times,
25 May 2026
Verb
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And Miller has been struggling with a black issues this year, halting his development.—
Peter Chawaga,
Forbes.com,
28 May 2026
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She’s done the same by halting automatic contributions to her retirement, canceling doctor’s appointments and cutting grocery items.—
Alicia Wallace,
CNN Money,
27 May 2026
Verb
-
Require employees to evaluate counter-arguments and alternative perspectives before concluding.—
Chris Rosenberg,
Forbes.com,
28 May 2026
-
The parade began at the Davie Fire Administration building, moving east along Orange Drive before concluding at the Bergeron Rodeo Grounds.—
Scott Luxor,
Sun Sentinel,
26 May 2026
Verb
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Curtis recommends cutting off any browning leaves at the base with a sharp, clean pair of secateurs.—
Michelle Mastro,
The Spruce,
24 May 2026
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The Tribune recently reported Ige also voluntarily returned tens of millions of dollars in federal COVID-19 grants, cutting off funding for disease surveillance and racial equity programming.—
A.D. Quig,
Chicago Tribune,
22 May 2026
Verb
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Tehran cemented its grip on the Strait of Hormuz; a few more tankers managed to pass through in the last few days, albeit only by either negotiating in advance with Iran, or by shutting off their transponders and racing through.—
Tim McDonnell,
semafor.com,
14 May 2026
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Don’t try to handle a squatter yourself by changing locks, hauling out belongings or shutting off utilities — Texas law treats that as a self-help eviction and can backfire if the person turns out to have tenant rights, making court eviction the required route in landlord-tenant cases.—
Tiffani Jackson,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
11 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Breaking off.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/breaking%20off. Accessed 31 May. 2026.
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