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
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
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
-
Luke then successfully stops two blasts from the training remote while not being able to see.—
Mike Ryan,
IndieWire,
4 May 2026
-
Kathryn Stockett, who published her blockbuster novel The Help in 2009, is back with her first new book in 17 years—The Calamity Club—and she’s headed to Alabama on one of her first book tour stops.—
Southern Living Editors,
Southern Living,
4 May 2026
Verb
-
The ideal time to plan for next summer is as soon as the previous summer ends.—
Theo Wolf,
CNBC,
1 May 2026
-
The win ends trainer Todd Pletcher’s Derby drought.—
Assistant Sports Editor,
Los Angeles Times,
1 May 2026
Verb
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The Director of the Atlantic City International Airport tells CBS News the airline makes up about 85% of its business, and if the airline ceases operations, hundreds of jobs would be impacted.—
Ryan Hughes,
CBS News,
2 May 2026
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If Spirit ceases operations, passengers with tickets for upcoming flights should file claims with the issuer of the credit or debit card used to purchase the tickets.—
Chris Isidore,
CNN Money,
1 May 2026
Verb
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But if voters approve this five-year increase, county officials will almost certainly bake the extra income into their budget and come back to voters for renewal before the tax expires.—
East Bay Times editorial,
Mercury News,
1 May 2026
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Paul was then put on supervised probation, which expires this August, and her remaining charges — including felony domestic violence in the presence of a child, and misdemeanor child abuse — were dismissed.—
Jami Ganz,
New York Daily News,
1 May 2026
Verb
-
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
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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
-
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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As a result, when Earth passes through the comet’s orbit, the comet itself is very far away.—
Janet Loehrke,
USA Today,
3 May 2026
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The Salmon River Scenic Byway passes through some of Idaho’s most remote regions.—
Cu Fleshman,
Travel + Leisure,
3 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Breaks off.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/breaks%20off. Accessed 7 May. 2026.
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