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
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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
-
When the game stops, it will be called on account of darkness.—
Jill Lepore,
New Yorker,
12 May 2026
-
Many guests are juggling packed itineraries—pyramid visits, museum stops, Nile cruise transfers—and the staff are well practiced at coordinating drivers, guides, and early departures.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
12 May 2026
Verb
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What happens once the tour wraps, the season ends, the algorithm cools or the headlines wane?—
Sandra Richards,
Rolling Stone,
8 May 2026
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The Senate passed its own version of the larger health bill so both chambers will have to find compromise before session ends May 18.—
Caroline Cummings,
CBS News,
8 May 2026
Verb
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However, the Vaile Victorian Society, the volunteer group that maintains the house and runs tours, worries that once the house ceases to become a public property, the careful preservation work, which the aged property relies on, will be impossible to maintain.—
Kansas City Star,
Kansas City Star,
8 May 2026
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More often than not, the request gets the big kids’ attention, and chaos ceases (pauses) as the three of them roll around singing while Marc and I stand in the doorway kvelling.—
Risa Polansky Shiman,
Sun Sentinel,
6 May 2026
Verb
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That expires in 2028, with the end of his term, and will add $91 billion to the deficit.—
Sun Sentinel Editorial Board,
Sun Sentinel,
8 May 2026
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When time expires, the highest bidder wins and checkout happens automatically.—
Matthew Kayser,
USA Today,
8 May 2026
Verb
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But Ho's order now halts that effective date.—
Melissa Quinn,
CBS News,
1 May 2026
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March 2 Oil and gas prices jumped during the first trading day since the strikes, as the war halts energy exports from the Middle East.—
Emma Graham,Lee Ying Shan,
CNBC,
21 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
The film conveniently concludes in 1988, five years before Chandler’s abuse allegations came to light.—
Marlow Stern,
Variety,
28 Apr. 2026
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Powell, meanwhile, is set to step down as Fed chair when his term concludes on May 15, capping an eight-year tenure as the leader of the central bank.—
Mary Cunningham,
CBS News,
28 Apr. 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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The central Sahel is defined by the continent-spanning arid belt that passes through Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger.—
Brady Knox,
The Washington Examiner,
10 May 2026
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An egg that passes visual and smell inspection up to three weeks past the expiration date is almost certainly still good, regardless of what the carton says.—
Anne Wolf,
Martha Stewart,
9 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Breaks off.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/breaks%20off. Accessed 13 May. 2026.
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