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
Running backs Sire Gaines and Malik Sherrod each scored in the first quarter and broke off impressive runs, and combined for 140 yards on the ground.
—
Jim Keyser, Idaho Statesman, 6 Sep. 2025
Sweeney broke off her engagement to 42-year-old hunky businessman Jonathan Davino a few months ago.
—Madeleine Marr, Miami Herald, 4 Sep. 2025
Their recent outings come nearly a year after Kravitz and ex-fiancé Channing Tatum broke off their engagement in October 2024.
—Charna Flam, People.com, 27 Aug. 2025
In 2024, the actress broke off her engagement to Channing Tatum.
—Hannah Madlener, Glamour, 25 Aug. 2025
Part of the casket that broke off during the excavation helped YCSO determine the discovery was not a routine death investigation but rather a remnant of the area's history.
—Rey Covarrubias Jr, AZCentral.com, 24 Aug. 2025
The Federal Aviation Administration is investigating after a flap on a Boeing 737’s wing partially broke off before landing in Texas on Tuesday.
—Amanda Jackson, CNN Money, 20 Aug. 2025
Last week, Grimm nearly broke off a long punt return against the Saints.
—Daniel Popper, New York Times, 17 Aug. 2025
Officers determined that Malone was likely driving back to the woman’s home in the 100 block of Greystone Avenue, so Dickman and another officer broke off and tried to get ahead of him.
—Nick Ferraro, Twin Cities, 4 Aug. 2025
Jim Keyser, Idaho Statesman, 6 Sep. 2025
Sweeney broke off her engagement to 42-year-old hunky businessman Jonathan Davino a few months ago.
—Madeleine Marr, Miami Herald, 4 Sep. 2025
Their recent outings come nearly a year after Kravitz and ex-fiancé Channing Tatum broke off their engagement in October 2024.
—Charna Flam, People.com, 27 Aug. 2025
In 2024, the actress broke off her engagement to Channing Tatum.
—Hannah Madlener, Glamour, 25 Aug. 2025
Part of the casket that broke off during the excavation helped YCSO determine the discovery was not a routine death investigation but rather a remnant of the area's history.
—Rey Covarrubias Jr, AZCentral.com, 24 Aug. 2025
The Federal Aviation Administration is investigating after a flap on a Boeing 737’s wing partially broke off before landing in Texas on Tuesday.
—Amanda Jackson, CNN Money, 20 Aug. 2025
Last week, Grimm nearly broke off a long punt return against the Saints.
—Daniel Popper, New York Times, 17 Aug. 2025
Officers determined that Malone was likely driving back to the woman’s home in the 100 block of Greystone Avenue, so Dickman and another officer broke off and tried to get ahead of him.
—Nick Ferraro, Twin Cities, 4 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for broke off
Verb
-
When asked why all shoppers didn’t get the notice, an Amazon spokesperson said the notice was sent to customers who registered for the Prime Invitee Program between the program's launch in 2009 and 2015, when the program stopped accepting new members.—
Saleen Martin,
USA Today,
4 Sep. 2025
-
Providence is on a mission after being stopped two years in a row in the supersectional round.—
Jeff Vorva,
Chicago Tribune,
3 Sep. 2025
Verb
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After the last contract expired in 2022, the years-long negotiations between the union and city have gone on so long that a new contract would end later this year, and negotiations for a new one would likely begin immediately after.—
Claudia Levens,
jsonline.com,
5 Sep. 2025
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Plus, the service lost subscribers last quarter—a show people are excited about could lure back some whose bundles expired.—
Toni Fitzgerald,
Forbes.com,
4 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Others are finding elegant endings, like Links Hall, which ceased operations this summer after nearly four decades as a hub for small, experimental performance.—
Lauren Warnecke,
Chicago Tribune,
3 Sep. 2025
-
Palisades ceased operating in May 2022 after providing electricity for over 50 years in southwest Michigan.—
Noël Fletcher,
Forbes.com,
29 Aug. 2025
Verb
-
Milan’s fifth triumph in 1994 put them one behind the Spanish side, but this ended when Madrid picked up their seventh crown in 1998 and remains the closest anybody has got to them.—
Will Jeanes,
New York Times,
4 Sep. 2025
-
Chicago Cubs Hall of Famer Billy Williams ended a streak of playing in 1,117 consecutive games.—
Kori Rumore,
Chicago Tribune,
3 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Those companies not only halted competition between their own brands, but also began cooperating with each other, the complaint alleges.—
Kelli Arseneau,
jsonline.com,
4 Sep. 2025
-
Wednesday’s Stage 11, scheduled to finish in the city of Bilbao, was halted about 3 kilometers early, and no winner was declared.—
Eben Novy-Williams,
Sportico.com,
4 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Earlier this spring, the Globe concluded its investigation.—
Max Tani,
semafor.com,
8 Sep. 2025
-
It is said the bees gathered at the cemetery, resting on the tent over the grave and on the floral displays, returning to their hives after the service concluded.—
Elizabeth Bass Parman,
PEOPLE,
7 Sep. 2025
Verb
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However, the lower chamber has yet to take action since the measure was passed and signed into law in July.—
Ramsey Touchberry,
The Washington Examiner,
4 Sep. 2025
-
Here are some of the key bills that passed, and others that didn’t.—
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
4 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Then the key to Finnish success in reducing homelessness is the housing-first model, where the logic is that you're not required to quit using alcohol or narcotics.—
Kristen Edgreen Kaufman,
Forbes.com,
8 Sep. 2025
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Growing economic uncertainty has kept workers from quitting their jobs and has led businesses to slow down hiring decisions, experts say.—
Ana Teresa Solá,
CNBC,
8 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Broke off.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/broke%20off. Accessed 10 Sep. 2025.
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