BREAKING OFF Synonyms: 106 Similar and Opposite Words

breaking off

verb

present participle of break off

as in ending

to bring (as an action or operation) to an immediate end the judge broke off court proceedings until after lunch

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as in stopping

to come to an end talks between the two sides broke off when one began making unreasonable demands

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Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Recent Examples of breaking off Now, though, some branches are breaking off. — Ann Manov, Harpers Magazine, 23 June 2026 In November 1987, after breaking off her engagement with Estevez, Moore married Bruce in Las Vegas. — Chanel Vargas, InStyle, 21 June 2026 Work is continuing to try to stabilize the Pacifica Municipal Pier, which began cracking at its base on June 4 and is now in danger of breaking off and falling into the water. — John Ramos, CBS News, 16 June 2026 That trail of vaporizing particles breaking off the asteroid causes a bright streak of light across the sky called a meteor, or colloquially a shooting star. — Adam Lark, The Conversation, 16 June 2026 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

Recent Examples of Synonyms for breaking off

Verb

Gabby Williams and Tiffany Hayes scored 15 points apiece in the first of back-to-back matchups between the teams at Chase Center, where a raucous sellout crowd cheered Golden State ending a two-game skid that followed a nine-game winning streak.

— ABC News, ABC News, 2 Aug. 2026
That could prove to be true after all thanks to the improbable return of Owens, who shocked the world by coming back just a year and a half after what appeared to be career-ending neck surgery.

— Blake Oestriecher, Forbes.com, 2 Aug. 2026

Definition of ending

Verb

Nikki Rodriguez’s character might still technically be dating Alex, but that isn’t stopping her from flirting with his brother after confessing her love in the season 2 finale.

— Kat Pettibone, Entertainment Weekly, 5 Aug. 2026
The flight originated in El Paso, Texas, after stopping at Opa-locka Executive Airport in Miami-Dade County.

— Sonia Osorio, Miami Herald, 4 Aug. 2026

Definition of stopping

Verb

However, this strategy has drawn criticism from baseball analysts like Keith Law, who argues that the team should instead bench or remove Alec Bohm from the everyday lineup due to his performance and expiring contract.

— Peter Chawaga, Forbes.com, 6 Aug. 2026
Yes, and proof of this is the meeting scheduled for this week between Madrid and the player’s agents to discuss a contract renewal, with his current one expiring in June 2027.

— Chris Weatherspoon, New York Times, 5 Aug. 2026

Definition of expiring

Verb

Under such an approach, negotiations would focus first on halting the production and advancement of nuclear weapons, rather than demanding the dismantlement of North Korea's existing arsenal at the outset.

— Se Eun Gong, NPR, 3 Aug. 2026
Mail-in ballots in Kansas will have three days after Election Day to arrive at election offices after the Kansas Court of Appeals upheld an earlier decision halting the new law that would remove the grace period.

— Cuyler Dunn, Kansas City Star, 31 July 2026

Definition of halting

Verb

In her absence, followers host a daily, three-hour livestream, recording themselves discussing news events from around the world, often concluding that Didulo will return and save the world from impending disaster.

— Zander Sherman, Rolling Stone, 7 Aug. 2026
Judge Neomi Rao dissented from the majority, concluding that the National Trust for Historic Preservation does not have the jurisdiction to bring the lawsuit.

— Peter Charalambous, ABC News, 7 Aug. 2026

Definition of concluding

Verb

With the sole funder of the breakaway circuit cutting off the money spigot, it was speculated that LIV, or at least the current version of it, would cease to exist beyond this year.

— Mark Harris OutKick, FOXNews.com, 5 Aug. 2026
Beijing has a history of using economic coercion, like cutting off rare-earth exports or restricting market access, as a tool of foreign policy.

— Catherina Gioino, Fortune, 4 Aug. 2026

Definition of cutting off

Verb

Taking it with you prevents it from winding up in the ocean, or in the mouths of wildlife.

— Susan B. Barnes, Southern Living, 14 July 2026
Some tea strainers feature a mesh casing, which is the best option for preventing small particles from escaping the infuser and winding up in your drink.

— BestReviews, Chicago Tribune, 9 July 2026