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
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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
-
That James left Northeast Ohio without ending Cleveland’s excruciating championship drought—the city hadn’t won a major pro sports title since 1964—added to the furor.—
Sean Gregory,
Time,
9 June 2026
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Like Danault, wingers Corey Perry and Warren Foegele were also dealt for draft picks, while Fiala and Kuzmenko sustained season-ending injuries in February.—
Andrew Knoll,
Daily News,
9 June 2026
Verb
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Bussi got the nod after stopping 18 of 19 shots in relief of Andersen in Game 3 in the third period and two overtimes.—
Michael Russo,
New York Times,
10 June 2026
-
Afterward, locals recommend stopping at Lake Hollywood Park for fresh fruit topped with Tajín and chamoy.—
Alia Beard Rau,
USA Today,
10 June 2026
Verb
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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
-
Determined to focus on peace The ceasefire is looking a little more firing and a little less ceasing this morning.—
Eleanor Pringle,
Fortune,
28 May 2026
Verb
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Petersen said the contract runs through April 2028, expiring about 2 ½ months before the 2028 Olympics comes to SoFi Stadium.—
Kevin Baxter,
Los Angeles Times,
9 June 2026
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The most popular contract in QQQ by dollar amount and volume is currently the in-the-money 700-strike put expiring on Tuesday, with $44 million in premium exchanged.—
Oliver Renick,
CNBC,
9 June 2026
Verb
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The state takeover quickly killed momentum for the 836 extension, with GMX administrators halting a program to acquire land along the planned route.—
Douglas Hanks
June 11,
Miami Herald,
11 June 2026
-
In Maryland, a judge has granted a preliminary injunction halting construction activities at a Williamsport warehouse while a lawsuit is heard.—
Ryan J. Foley,
Los Angeles Times,
9 June 2026
Verb
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The authors disagreed with that earlier assessment, concluding that the bone marks were more consistent with whittling using a sharp implement.—
Jennifer Ouellette,
ArsTechnica,
11 June 2026
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The House narrowly voted yesterday to allocate roughly $70 billion to the Department of Homeland Security for Immigration and Customs Enforcement and Border Patrol, concluding a 115-day standoff over immigration policy.—
Brittney Melton,
NPR,
10 June 2026
Verb
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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
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The White House has doubled down on battles with Harvard and UCLA after federal judges blocked the administration from cutting off research funding from the campuses.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
4 June 2026
Verb
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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
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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 12 Jun. 2026.
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