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 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 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

Recent Examples of Synonyms for breaking off

Verb

The final opportunity came as time expired, when Kohl launched a Hail Mary that sailed through the back of the end zone, officially ending FIU’s comeback attempt.

— Alejandro Hernandez, Miami Herald, 20 Sep. 2026
After that, the Rangers finish with three games at home against the New York Mets before a season-ending three-game series at the Minnesota Twins.

— Jim Barnes, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 20 Sep. 2026

Definition of ending

Verb

Seeing a film at the Odeon cinema followed by stopping at Luini for a panzerotto, a cousin of the calzone, was long a favorite Milanese ritual.

— Emma Bocchi, Vogue, 21 Sep. 2026
Marshall improved to 5-0 with a 28-27 win over Marquez, stopping a two-point conversion try in the final minute.

— Eric Sondheimer, Los Angeles Times, 21 Sep. 2026

Definition of stopping

Verb

In 2005, the mystery man’s DNA was pre-indicted, a move made to prevent the statute of limitations from expiring, even though his name was not yet known.

— Rocco Parascandola, New York Daily News, 18 Sep. 2026
Deep in the money puts have a much higher delta, or probability of expiring in the money, suggesting a high conviction that the VIX will move lower.

— Oliver Renick, CNBC, 16 Sep. 2026

Definition of expiring

Verb

Allstate and State Farm are seeking a limited return to writing new home insurance policies in California after halting new business in 2022 and 2023.

— Sacbee.com, Sacbee.com, 17 Sep. 2026
In this podcast episode, Altman addresses the reality of AI alignment, the Hugging Face incident, and OpenAI's commitment to halting training runs if safety thresholds aren't met.

— Jim Edwards, Fortune, 14 Sep. 2026

Definition of halting

Verb

Judge Richard Stone ordered Uber to pay $40 million to Normandin-Parker’s parents, concluding that the company is responsible for its driver’s conduct, according to a news release from Panish, Shea, Ravipudi, the law firm representing the couple.

— Summer Lin, Los Angeles Times, 17 Sep. 2026
About 850 of those had some kind of government or related experience before serving, Meduza said, concluding that most beneficiaries were already part of the ruling class.

— ABC News, ABC News, 16 Sep. 2026

Definition of concluding

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