1
as in stops
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 ends
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 breaks off
That Sun team, led by Tina Charles, is beating the breaks off the Sparks.
—
Kiese Laymon, Vanity Fair, 30 Apr. 2026
Each one of those, in this quantum theory, breaks off into another block of cheese.
—Jackie Strause, HollywoodReporter, 30 Mar. 2026
State officials compared the project to Boise’s Flying Wye, where the I-184 Connector breaks off from I-84 west of downtown Boise.
—Hali Smith, Idaho Statesman, 11 Mar. 2026
Mahama breaks off in exasperation.
—Charlie Campbell, Time, 30 Oct. 2025
The scene where ‘80s teen Marty McFly borrows a scooter from a bewildered ‘50s kid and breaks off the handles to make a skateboard is one of the film’s most iconic moments.
—Charlotte Observer, 21 Oct. 2025
Second, the flowing glacier brings more ice forward to replace what breaks off, slowing the cliff’s inland retreat and making a chain reaction of cliff toppling less likely.
—Evan Howell, Quanta Magazine, 20 Oct. 2025
The fragmentary Ni 12501 tablet from the Early Dynastic III period of Mesopotamia breaks off when Fox deceives the inhabitants of the netherworld in his quest to retrieve the storm god Ishkur.
—Rafil Kroll-Zaidi, Harpers Magazine, 19 Sep. 2025
Kiese Laymon, Vanity Fair, 30 Apr. 2026
Each one of those, in this quantum theory, breaks off into another block of cheese.
—Jackie Strause, HollywoodReporter, 30 Mar. 2026
State officials compared the project to Boise’s Flying Wye, where the I-184 Connector breaks off from I-84 west of downtown Boise.
—Hali Smith, Idaho Statesman, 11 Mar. 2026
Mahama breaks off in exasperation.
—Charlie Campbell, Time, 30 Oct. 2025
The scene where ‘80s teen Marty McFly borrows a scooter from a bewildered ‘50s kid and breaks off the handles to make a skateboard is one of the film’s most iconic moments.
—Charlotte Observer, 21 Oct. 2025
Second, the flowing glacier brings more ice forward to replace what breaks off, slowing the cliff’s inland retreat and making a chain reaction of cliff toppling less likely.
—Evan Howell, Quanta Magazine, 20 Oct. 2025
The fragmentary Ni 12501 tablet from the Early Dynastic III period of Mesopotamia breaks off when Fox deceives the inhabitants of the netherworld in his quest to retrieve the storm god Ishkur.
—Rafil Kroll-Zaidi, Harpers Magazine, 19 Sep. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for breaks off
Verb
-
This court order temporarily stops most collection activities, including lawsuits, wage garnishments, bank levies and collection calls.—
Angelica Leicht,
CBS News,
18 May 2026
-
The team stops functioning as a unit and starts behaving as a collection of individuals.—
Rick Burton,
Sportico.com,
18 May 2026
Verb
-
But Polis, whose final term ends early next year, will also leave office having checked off some issues that have lingered for years.—
Nick Coltrain,
Denver Post,
15 May 2026
-
Co-owner Danielle Dore said the move ends 52 years of renting and will bring more seating, a dog-friendly patio and the same all-day breakfast focus.—
Idaho Statesman,
Idaho Statesman,
15 May 2026
Verb
-
The archaeologists and researchers of the Israel Antiquities Authority are constantly at work because this city never ceases to surprise.—
Maria Mocerino,
Interesting Engineering,
16 May 2026
-
The imposing tower never ceases to amaze local resident Ogden Driskill, whose family has ranched on the land at its base for generations.—
Marnie Hunter,
CNN Money,
14 May 2026
Verb
-
At SeaWorld San Antonio, kids under the age of five can enjoy free, unlimited admission to SeaWorld until January 2027, plus unlimited visits to Aquatica for only $39—just be sure to register before the offer expires on May 30.—
Jessica Sulima,
Condé Nast Traveler,
15 May 2026
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The truce, which exists in the absence of a more formal trade deal, expires in November.—
Steve Kopack,
NBC news,
15 May 2026
Verb
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As the federal government halts plans to address climate change, states, cities, regions, and even neighborhoods are trying to fill the gap by cutting climate pollution and adapting to extreme weather.—
Ellis Juhlin,
NPR,
18 May 2026
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But Ho's order now halts that effective date.—
Melissa Quinn,
CBS News,
1 May 2026
Verb
-
As the 2025-26 sports year concludes, fans hope stability has arrived — for real, this time — in the form of coach Kyle Whittingham.—
Austin Meek,
New York Times,
12 May 2026
-
The 2026 Cannes Film Festival kicked off on Tuesday and concludes on May 23.—
Julia Teti,
Footwear News,
12 May 2026
Verb
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As the rocket’s core stage cuts off, the zero G indicator will begin to float, identifying the moment when the crew is officially in space.—
Jackie Wattles,
CNN Money,
1 Apr. 2026
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Turning your phone off or using airplane mode cuts off wireless communication while still allowing alarms to work.—
Kurt Knutsson,
FOXNews.com,
3 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Granit Xhaka was the midfielder primarily tasked with threading progressive passes through opposing lines, while Florian Wirtz would often receive these with space to turn and run towards goal.—
Liam Twomey,
New York Times,
17 May 2026
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Southeast Asia doesn’t have the luxury to bet its economic future on a 6,000-mile supply chain that passes through a single, 21-mile-wide chokepoint, the Strait of Hormuz.—
Ken Silverstein,
Forbes.com,
17 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Breaks off.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/breaks%20off. Accessed 19 May. 2026.
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