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
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of broke off
Sure, one robot landed a backflip—but then a piece of it broke off and flew toward the crowd.
—
Stephen Witt,
New Yorker,
29 June 2026
That sparked a miles-long chase that broke off when the suspect reportedly started driving the wrong way on I-95, according to police.
—
Dan Snyder,
CBS News,
24 June 2026
The lead head had been chewed loose and now, on an exceptionally tough bass, the front hook broke off.
—
Hank Bradshaw,
Outdoor Life,
24 June 2026
The fuselage came to rest across a concrete barrier, while its tail broke off and fell to a lower section of roadway.
—
ABC News,
18 June 2026
The former couple broke off their seven-year engagement in November 2020.
—
Juliana Ukiomogbe,
InStyle,
8 June 2026
Courtesy of Rizzotti Advisors The Egadi Islands, off the western coast of Sicily, feel almost untouched, as if the Mediterranean broke off a few fragments and left them in place.
—
Spencer Elliott,
Forbes.com,
6 June 2026
The movie is clearly aimed at a certain audience who watched Saturday morning cartoons back in the day and, if their He-Man figure’s arm broke off, would use Faker as their resident Eternian hero.
—
Brian Truitt,
USA Today,
2 June 2026
This year’s season was delayed after a huge section of the icefall broke off and blocked the route to the summit.
—
Helen Regan,
CNN Money,
30 May 2026
Stephen Witt,
New Yorker,
29 June 2026
That sparked a miles-long chase that broke off when the suspect reportedly started driving the wrong way on I-95, according to police.
—
Dan Snyder,
CBS News,
24 June 2026
The lead head had been chewed loose and now, on an exceptionally tough bass, the front hook broke off.
—
Hank Bradshaw,
Outdoor Life,
24 June 2026
The fuselage came to rest across a concrete barrier, while its tail broke off and fell to a lower section of roadway.
—
ABC News,
18 June 2026
The former couple broke off their seven-year engagement in November 2020.
—
Juliana Ukiomogbe,
InStyle,
8 June 2026
Courtesy of Rizzotti Advisors The Egadi Islands, off the western coast of Sicily, feel almost untouched, as if the Mediterranean broke off a few fragments and left them in place.
—
Spencer Elliott,
Forbes.com,
6 June 2026
The movie is clearly aimed at a certain audience who watched Saturday morning cartoons back in the day and, if their He-Man figure’s arm broke off, would use Faker as their resident Eternian hero.
—
Brian Truitt,
USA Today,
2 June 2026
This year’s season was delayed after a huge section of the icefall broke off and blocked the route to the summit.
—
Helen Regan,
CNN Money,
30 May 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for broke off
Verb
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Large car rally disrupted in Baltimore Police said 36 traffic citations were issued and 54 vehicles were stopped after a large gathering of vehicles in the 1000 block of Wilson Drive in South Baltimore.
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The victim in the latest attack had stopped to swim with her boyfriend and friend in the Econlockhatchee River just north of Orlando Sunday afternoon when the alligator bit her, the FWC said in a press briefing.
Verb
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The collection also accepts medical sharps, including diabetic needles, blood lancets, insulin pens, epi-pens, syringes, expired over-the-counter medicines and non-narcotic prescriptions.
-
Powell's term as Fed chairman expired in mid-May, and Kevin Warsh took over the role shortly after.
Verb
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While nearly 3,500 newspapers have ceased publication during the new millennium, the Daily Herald is nonetheless joining a growing chain in a shrinking industry.
-
Serious headwinds Last July, months after construction at the site ceased, giving way to 4-foot-tall weeds, Bryant said that although the company had raised $9 million from investors, the project ran into serious headwinds.
Verb
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Soon after then-President Nicolás Maduro was captured by the US in January, Venezuela ended Cuba’s long-standing medical mission in the country, cutting off a key resource in underserved communities.
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On the way to the oyster farm, Luke asks about a ring Joy is wearing, which turns out to be from an engagement that ended badly.
Verb
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In the end that discussion was halted by Paramount’s superior bid.
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Just days after the White House confirmed the plans, a Kenyan court temporarily halted the proposal with Kenyan High Court Judge Patricia Nyaundi upholding that decision and ordering the Kenyan government to cease all building and operations at the base while the case is resolved.
Verb
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King concluded that Saulter was in a conspiracy to get King removed from office, and directed Arriola to view recordings of other cameras in the office to determine who was entering the offices of Saulter and Goodloe.
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LeBron James's eight-year tenure with the Los Angeles Lakers, though marked by an NBA championship and record-breaking achievements, concluded with his decision to depart.
Verb
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In it, Pearson delivered an opening monologue about his desire to quit dancing.
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Two years into what was intended to be a seven-year apprenticeship, Walton quit and followed his siblings south.
Verb
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Matteo Berrettini, a Wimbledon finalist in 2021, was left off the list despite a quarterfinal appearance at the French Open.
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The ports are the same as the last-gen models, including the Surface Connect magnetic charging port that’s being left off the upcoming Surface Laptop Ultra.
Cite this Entry
“Broke off.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/broke%20off. Accessed 1 Jul. 2026.
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