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

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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 Mackert showed an exacting style, breaking off big runs and dishing out hard hits in short-yardage situations. — Patrick Z. McGavin, Chicago Tribune, 8 Nov. 2026 The Rams came out strong to start the second half, Corum breaking off a 23-yard touchdown run for a 17-9 lead. — Los Angeles Times, 2 Nov. 2026 Walker turned the corner around a defender near the sideline, breaking off a 76-yard run to get Kansas City near the Las Vegas goal line. — Kansas City Star, 4 Oct. 2026 Experts believe Wednesday's mudslides and flash flooding across Nepal and China's Tibet region were caused by a large chunk of ice breaking off a glacier and falling into the Lhende Khola River. — Robert McGreevy, FOXNews.com, 29 Aug. 2026 The AccuWeather team will be looking for smaller storm cells breaking off of the main line, which would give them freedom to begin rotating and potentially spin off a tornado funnel. — Karl Hille, Baltimore Sun, 20 Aug. 2026 Later videos appeared to show the top of the rocket breaking off in flight. — Eric Berger, ArsTechnica, 14 Aug. 2026 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

Recent Examples of Synonyms for breaking off

Verb

Rahm shot 5-under 67 and was 23-under par for the week at Yas Links, two strokes clear of Hatton (68) and four ahead of McIlroy (69) in the first of the two season-ending playoff tournaments in the United Arab Emirates.

— ABC News, ABC News, 8 Nov. 2026
Since taking over as the starter after a season-ending injury to Linc Frazier, Stephenson has passed for 1,420 yards and 21 touchdowns.

— Jon Poorman, Houston Chronicle, 8 Nov. 2026

Definition of ending

Verb

Cornerbacks Jacob Parrish and Zyon McCollum had Tampa Bay's other picks, with the last turnover stopping a second-half drive in Bucs territory when Atlanta still had an opportunity to get back into the game.

— CBS News, CBS News, 2 Nov. 2026
At the rear, stopping duties are handled by a 230-mm disc and a two-piston caliper, also using 27-mm pistons.

— New Atlas, New Atlas, 1 Nov. 2026

Definition of stopping

Verb

Based on anonymous reports — 2,888 at last count — the site tracks and ranks the companies that are most often accused of abruptly ceasing contact with candidates, including some of the biggest names in the S&P 500.

— Sophie Caldwell, CNBC, 3 Nov. 2026
Calvin lives in Snook’s Arm, a community on the verge of ceasing to exist.

— Daniel Fienberg, HollywoodReporter, 8 Oct. 2026

Definition of ceasing

Verb

Since then, the administration has opened the doors to more than 16,000 white South Africans while halting virtually all other immigration.

— Sharon Lerner, ProPublica, 5 Nov. 2026
Zelenskyy said Ukraine's priorities for the talks were halting strikes on energy and critical infrastructure, unblocking Black Sea grain shipments and expanding prisoner exchanges.

— Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 4 Nov. 2026

Definition of halting

Verb

The Heat’s five-game western swing continues Wednesday night against the Clippers, before concluding with games Thursday night against the Golden State Warriors, Sunday against the Sacramento Kings and next Tuesday against the Utah Jazz.

— Ira Winderman, Sun Sentinel, 3 Nov. 2026
The battle between Bass and Raman ends Tuesday, concluding a bitter nine-month contest between two candidates who were once political allies.

— Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 1 Nov. 2026

Definition of concluding

Verb

Without natural sand reaching the beaches, high tides and large surf have resulted in entire beaches being covered with water, cutting off access.

— Hannah Fry, Los Angeles Times, 20 Oct. 2026
Deadhead blazing star during the growing season to encourage more flowering, but do not prune too soon, as cutting off the foliage may reduce next year’s blooms.

— Lauren Landers, Better Homes & Gardens, 28 Sep. 2026

Definition of cutting off

Verb

The episode isn’t quite done, despite leaving off on an explosive note.

— Siddhant Adlakha, Vulture, 17 Aug. 2026
This does have the effect of, at times, including star NHL players while leaving off players who are still in the minors and have a chance to make the league.

— Corey Pronman, New York Times, 25 Aug. 2025