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
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
Suggestions include breaking off from Meta entirely and offering a similar oversight service to other social platforms.
—Jon Martindale, PC Magazine, 3 Apr. 2026
Throughout the series, the couple navigated major life changes, including Lily’s brief move to San Francisco after breaking off her engagement with Marshall, plus arguments about their respective careers.
—Jane Lacroix, PEOPLE, 31 Mar. 2026
Tonga provides an immediate upgrade there, and, at worst, should take some pressure off a secondary that too often had to play superhero on the back end to prevent opposing running backs from breaking off big gains.
—Jesse Newell, New York Times, 10 Mar. 2026
Vrabel first held a press conference at a podium inside the Indiana Convention Center before breaking off into a less formal side session with local reporters later.
—Doug Kyed, Boston Herald, 25 Feb. 2026
While that thankfully hasn't been the case this year, the county did have a hit-and-run involving a semi breaking off a snowplow mirror.
—Hope Karnopp, jsonline.com, 4 Feb. 2026
In that unlikely scenario, there would be a risk of debris breaking off the asteroid and hitting Earth.
—Chris Young, Interesting Engineering, 28 Jan. 2026
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
Suggestions include breaking off from Meta entirely and offering a similar oversight service to other social platforms.
—Jon Martindale, PC Magazine, 3 Apr. 2026
Throughout the series, the couple navigated major life changes, including Lily’s brief move to San Francisco after breaking off her engagement with Marshall, plus arguments about their respective careers.
—Jane Lacroix, PEOPLE, 31 Mar. 2026
Tonga provides an immediate upgrade there, and, at worst, should take some pressure off a secondary that too often had to play superhero on the back end to prevent opposing running backs from breaking off big gains.
—Jesse Newell, New York Times, 10 Mar. 2026
Vrabel first held a press conference at a podium inside the Indiana Convention Center before breaking off into a less formal side session with local reporters later.
—Doug Kyed, Boston Herald, 25 Feb. 2026
While that thankfully hasn't been the case this year, the county did have a hit-and-run involving a semi breaking off a snowplow mirror.
—Hope Karnopp, jsonline.com, 4 Feb. 2026
In that unlikely scenario, there would be a risk of debris breaking off the asteroid and hitting Earth.
—Chris Young, Interesting Engineering, 28 Jan. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for breaking off
Verb
-
Fresh from a marathon trip to Pakistan that failed to reach a deal for ending the war with Iran, Vice President JD Vance jetted to this Georgia college town for a campus tour organized by the conservative powerhouse Turning Point USA.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
15 Apr. 2026
-
The administration says ending Tehran's nuclear program is one of its key goals in the war with Iran.—
Tucker Reals,
CBS News,
15 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Meghan, 44, and Harry, 41, skipped a traditional airport photo op, instead departing in a convoy of vehicles without stopping to pose for the press.—
Stephanie Giang-Paunon,
FOXNews.com,
14 Apr. 2026
-
But with the brief resurgence of the run game, the run-stopping, athletic inside linebacker is a bit more crucial.—
Chris Perkins,
Sun Sentinel,
14 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
With the conflict still ongoing and the Central cluster continuing to lose members, the question now is whether the larger group can survive at all — or whether this lopsided war will end with one side simply ceasing to exist.—
Ryan Brennan,
Miami Herald,
10 Apr. 2026
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Iran also says that ceasing hostilities in Lebanon, where Israel has dramatically stepped up attacks in recent weeks, will be part of larger peace negotiations.—
Will Weissert,
Fortune,
9 Apr. 2026
Verb
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The blockade follows failed ceasefire talks over Iran’s nuclear program, with the current truce expiring April 22 and no clear path to resuming negotiations.—
Samy Magdy,
Los Angeles Times,
13 Apr. 2026
-
Some 33 senators will see their terms expiring in early January 2027, with their seats up for election later this year.—
Eleanor Pringle,
Fortune,
10 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
The September 2025 order cleared the way for Immigration and Customs Enforcement to resume broad sweeps in Los Angeles, halting a lower court ruling that restricted ICE's practices.—
Joe Walsh,
CBS News,
16 Apr. 2026
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Israel halting its attacks on Lebanon has been a key condition for Iran war negotiations beginning, the speaker of Iran's parliament has said.—
Sean Conlon,Lisa Kailai Han,
CNBC,
15 Apr. 2026
Verb
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In November 2024, the justices reversed a Court of Appeals decision and remanded the case back to Dakota County District Court for a new trial, concluding that jurors should have heard instructions on Baker’s claim of self-defense and defense of others.—
Nick Ferraro,
Twin Cities,
15 Apr. 2026
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Patrick O’Rourke, who represented Children’s Hospital Colorado, countered that Eckhart was right in determining the harm to the hospital outweighs the plaintiffs’ loss of care, but made a mistake in concluding the decision to stop the care was likely discrimination.—
Meg Wingerter,
Denver Post,
15 Apr. 2026
Verb
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If this is the case, then cutting off the water supply to this waterfall — to fill a dam or for irrigation, which happens — could harm the fish.—
Ari Daniel,
NPR,
5 Apr. 2026
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Retail connections faded as foot traffic disappeared, cutting off communication with buyers.—
J.M. Banks
March 21,
Kansas City Star,
21 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Companies could also consider shutting off access to their technology for certain time frames, Rae suggests.—
Kristin Stoller,
Fortune,
24 Mar. 2026
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If someone becomes trapped by suction, shutting off the pump can release the pressure immediately.—
Meghan Schiller,
CBS News,
16 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Breaking off.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/breaking%20off. Accessed 18 Apr. 2026.
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