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
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Once the larger transfer is sent, the account suddenly stops responding.—
Kurt Knutsson,
FOXNews.com,
20 Apr. 2026
-
The grinder is operated with one touch and automatically stops when your grounds are ready to go.—
BestReviews,
Chicago Tribune,
20 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Creating that kind of structure, Manning suggests, is essential to easing the pressure teachers carry long after the school day ends.—
Tereza Shkurtaj,
PEOPLE,
18 Apr. 2026
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The company in the new agreement removed the biggest obstacle — the right to keep workers for at least three hours after their shift ends at its discretion — from their proposal Local 12775 Vice President Vern Beck told the Post-Tribune Friday.—
Michelle L. Quinn,
Chicago Tribune,
17 Apr. 2026
Verb
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From Rue’s spiraling addiction to Maddy’s (Alexa Demie) fearless confidence, the cast of Euphoria never ceases to keep viewers on the edge of their seats.—
Valerie Mesa,
PEOPLE,
13 Apr. 2026
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Officials discussed both diplomatic and economic measures their countries could implement now and after the fighting ceases to help secure the shipping route, according to NPR's Fatima Al-Kassab.—
Brittney Melton,
NPR,
3 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Shares fell 9% in extended trading on Thursday after the streaming giant released its first-quarter earnings report and announced that Reed Hastings, Netflix's co-founder and current chairman, would exit the board in June when his term expires.—
Lim Hui Jie,
CNBC,
17 Apr. 2026
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The streamer on Thursday announced that its co-founder and chairman would relinquish his spot on the Netflix board in June, when his current term expires.—
Andrew Nusca,
Fortune,
17 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Filing for Chapter 7 or Chapter 13 bankruptcy triggers an automatic stay, which immediately halts most collection actions, including garnishment.—
Angelica Leicht,
CBS News,
10 Apr. 2026
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And even if Israel halts its strikes on Iran, there’s no guarantee Tehran will reciprocate.—
Abbas Al Lawati,
CNN Money,
1 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Leo’s journey, which concludes on Thursday, has intertwined the theme of peace with concerns for the plight of the poor as well as refugees.—
Yinka Adegoke,
semafor.com,
20 Apr. 2026
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Compiled by the Associated Press That concludes today’s newsletter.—
Assistant Sports Editor,
Los Angeles Times,
20 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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Of particular concern is the Strait of Hormuz, the crucial waterway off Iran, where more than 20% of the world's oil supply normally passes.—
Steve Kopack,
NBC news,
19 Apr. 2026
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Roughly one-fifth of the world’s oil trade normally passes through the strait, and the global energy crisis threatened to deepen as the war is now in its eighth week.—
Michelle L. Price,
Fortune,
19 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Breaks off.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/breaks%20off. Accessed 23 Apr. 2026.
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