1
as in stopped
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 expired
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 broke off
The would-be victim followed the suspect after their confrontation initially broke off, at which point the suspect allegedly turned and stabbed at the victim.
—
Greg Norman , Anders Hagstrom, FOXNews.com, 18 Dec. 2025
Soon after, Davis broke off his engagement to Canadian dancer Joan Stuart.
—Mike Barnes, HollywoodReporter, 18 Dec. 2025
The Aggies broke off to make Texas their Thanksgiving weekend rival in 2024, and LSU finished up the year against Oklahoma the last two seasons.
—Tom Murphy, Arkansas Online, 13 Dec. 2025
Investigators found the bodies nearby — Davis and Shelton had been shot, Friedt had been stabbed with a hunting knife whose blade broke off in her chest, and Flemmons died from asphyxiation after suffering blunt-force injuries, per A&E, citing Julie Young’s book The Burger Chef Murders in Indiana.
—Christina Coulter, PEOPLE, 8 Nov. 2025
One car broke off and the other, a silver 2019 Toyota Camry, drove southbound on I-275, later exiting in the downtown area.
—NPR, 8 Nov. 2025
For instance, in the closer, Rosa (Martinez) decided to leave her job as a medical examiner and broke off her romantic relationship with Yancy.
—Nellie Andreeva, Deadline, 28 Oct. 2025
On the ensuing drive, Christian Simmons broke off a 32-yard touchdown run.
—Brendan Connelly, Boston Herald, 17 Oct. 2025
Part of the helicopter broke off before the crash.
—Sydney Barragan, Oc Register, 12 Oct. 2025
Greg Norman , Anders Hagstrom, FOXNews.com, 18 Dec. 2025
Soon after, Davis broke off his engagement to Canadian dancer Joan Stuart.
—Mike Barnes, HollywoodReporter, 18 Dec. 2025
The Aggies broke off to make Texas their Thanksgiving weekend rival in 2024, and LSU finished up the year against Oklahoma the last two seasons.
—Tom Murphy, Arkansas Online, 13 Dec. 2025
Investigators found the bodies nearby — Davis and Shelton had been shot, Friedt had been stabbed with a hunting knife whose blade broke off in her chest, and Flemmons died from asphyxiation after suffering blunt-force injuries, per A&E, citing Julie Young’s book The Burger Chef Murders in Indiana.
—Christina Coulter, PEOPLE, 8 Nov. 2025
One car broke off and the other, a silver 2019 Toyota Camry, drove southbound on I-275, later exiting in the downtown area.
—NPR, 8 Nov. 2025
For instance, in the closer, Rosa (Martinez) decided to leave her job as a medical examiner and broke off her romantic relationship with Yancy.
—Nellie Andreeva, Deadline, 28 Oct. 2025
On the ensuing drive, Christian Simmons broke off a 32-yard touchdown run.
—Brendan Connelly, Boston Herald, 17 Oct. 2025
Part of the helicopter broke off before the crash.
—Sydney Barragan, Oc Register, 12 Oct. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for broke off
Verb
-
Ross, who was one of several federal agents involved in the arrest, initially drew his service weapon, but holstered the gun after Muñoz-Guatemala stopped his car and raised his hands, according to the affidavit.—
Allison Gordon,
CNN Money,
9 Jan. 2026
-
Braddy stopped the car, got Quantisha back inside, and put Shandelle in the trunk, before driving for 30 to 45 minutes.—
Nicole Acosta,
PEOPLE,
9 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Their contract expired in September 2024.—
Cathie Anderson,
Sacbee.com,
9 Nov. 2025
-
The judge noted that only Lively's team had filed a response and that the time to pursue the matter had expired.—
Bryan West,
Nashville Tennessean,
7 Nov. 2025
Verb
-
In other words, the property tax wars may have ceased, but the dust still hasn’t settled.—
Nick Coltrain,
Denver Post,
6 Jan. 2026
-
The primary means of transportation in Caracas, the metro, was out of service after the attack, while buses also ceased operation, El Spectator reported.—
Brady Knox,
The Washington Examiner,
4 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Just weeks after the fun ended, Mosley must convince boosters, donors and fans that 2025 doesn’t have to be a one-off.—
Mac Engel
January 9,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
9 Jan. 2026
-
The Royals are one of nine MLB teams that have ended deals with Main Street Sports this week.—
Pete Grathoff,
Kansas City Star,
9 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Invitation Homes, known as the largest institutional home buyer, also dove 6%, while American Homes 4 Rent (AMH) saw trading briefly halted due to volatility after shares hit a three-year low.—
Eva Roytburg,
Fortune,
8 Jan. 2026
-
The first phase of the ceasefire halted the fighting and saw an exchange of hostages held by Hamas in exchange for hundreds of Palestinians held by Israel.—
Wafaa Shurafa,
Los Angeles Times,
8 Jan. 2026
Verb
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In three full seasons since that postseason run – which concluded quickly as a result of a crushing 34-11 loss to the Los Angeles Rams in the wild-card round – Murray has failed to post a winning season as a starter.—
Jacob Camenker,
USA Today,
9 Nov. 2025
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Salt-n-Pepa also joined in, and the group of artists concluded the set with a call-and-response moment alongside the crowd, encouraging everyone to scream along.—
Larisha Paul,
Rolling Stone,
9 Nov. 2025
Verb
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Placer County, which estimates that 16,000 residents could lose health care coverage by 2028, quit operating its own clinics nearly a decade ago.—
KFF Health News,
Oc Register,
6 Jan. 2026
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After quitting acting, Kibrick attended the University of Southern California and worked in real estate development.—
Wesley Stenzel,
Entertainment Weekly,
6 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Climate Central intends to expand its billion-dollar database in the coming years, picking up where NOAA left off and potentially widening the data to incorporate smaller dollar scales, among other advances.—
Andrew Freedman,
CNN Money,
8 Jan. 2026
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But some notable talent in the running among other awards groups were left off, and a few names made surprising appearances on the list.—
Jack Smart,
PEOPLE,
7 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Broke off.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/broke%20off. Accessed 9 Jan. 2026.
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