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
Relevance
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
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
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
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
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
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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for breaking off
Verb
-
Before ending his career, Tanter witnessed another Laker capture the all-time scoring record as James eclipsed Abdul-Jabbar's 38,287 points.—
Matthew Rodriguez,
CBS News,
17 June 2026
-
In 2003, Roy Horn was attacked by a white Bengal tiger during a Siegfried & Roy show, leaving him partially paralyzed and ending the long-running act.—
Dan Snierson,
Entertainment Weekly,
16 June 2026
Verb
-
Fans can also pick up souvenir maps when stopping at the attraction this summer.—
Chiara Kim,
PEOPLE,
16 June 2026
-
Things to do along the Little Parkway Southern Living recommends stopping at several of the High Country’s most popular attractions, including Grandfather Mountain, where visitors can cross the Mile High Swinging Bridge, explore the Wilson Center for Nature Discovery and access nearby trails.—
Evan Moore,
Charlotte Observer,
16 June 2026
Verb
-
Kraken, one of the oldest crypto exchanges in the global industry, is ceasing on World Cup fever and drawing parallels between soccer fans and ‘hodlers’ in their promotions.—
Cleve Mesidor,
Forbes.com,
14 June 2026
-
While this weekend was about celebration, the recent announcement that another USL SL club, the Spokane Zephyr, is ceasing operations after just two seasons, put the overall plans for the league’s growth in question.—
Tamerra Griffin,
New York Times,
2 June 2026
Verb
-
The most popular contract by volume was the 16-strike put expiring Wednesday that traded 46,000 contracts.—
Oliver Renick,
CNBC,
15 June 2026
-
At the moment, Barça is currently trying to renew the Valencian too, with his current terms expiring a year earlier that Barcola’s on June 30, 2027.—
Tom Sanderson,
Forbes.com,
13 June 2026
Verb
-
An elderly Syrian man also was set to be deported to the Central African Republic but received an emergency temporary order halting his deportation, his lawyer Margaret Stock said.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
12 June 2026
-
Imagine latency issues halting activity on a trading floor.—
Scott Fulton,
Forbes.com,
12 June 2026
Verb
-
In a 20-season span beginning in 2006, the Miners have had two winning years, both 7-6 and both concluding with bowl losses.—
Tom Layberger,
Forbes.com,
18 June 2026
-
The court rejected that claim, concluding it was illegally seized and transferred.—
Brian Boucher,
ARTnews.com,
18 June 2026
Verb
-
According to the Wall Street Journal, the export control directive that led to Anthropic cutting off access to Fable 5 and Mythos 5 was triggered in part by cybersecurity research from Amazon and conversations between CEO Andy Jassy and the White House.—
Terrence O'Brien,
The Verge,
13 June 2026
-
It’s told from the perspective of a man who, ten years after cutting off his parents, reflects on their lives and on his upbringing.—
Nina Mesfin,
New Yorker,
7 June 2026
Verb
-
This new round of chaos only feeds the anxiety that has enveloped the California Democratic Party for months, stirred by fears that the lack of a singular party front-runner might lead to two Republicans winding up on the November ballot.—
Seema Mehta,
Los Angeles Times,
13 Apr. 2026
-
Newsom is winding up eight years as governor with a mixed record at best.—
Tom Philp,
Mercury News,
8 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Breaking off.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/breaking%20off. Accessed 22 Jun. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
