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
As OutKick previously reported, Megan broke off her relationship with the NBA star last week after accusing him of cheating.
—
Amber Harding Outkick, FOXNews.com, 27 Apr. 2026
Sources confirm to People and TMZ that Zoë Kravitz and Channing Tatum broke off their engagement after three years together.
—Hannah Madlener, Glamour, 24 Apr. 2026
While other hummingbirds seemed primarily focused on the nectar, some occasionally broke off and darted into the insect cloud.
—Ernie Cowan, San Diego Union-Tribune, 12 Apr. 2026
When talks broke off in March, prospects of reaching a deal by May 31 appeared bleak.
—Mike Jones, New York Times, 10 Apr. 2026
The stabbing was so forceful that the tip of the knife broke off inside the officer’s head, Chamberlain said, but the officer was able to fire his gun and shoot the man during the attack.
—Katie Langford, Denver Post, 9 Apr. 2026
The victim fought off Mohammed after being stabbed, holding onto the blade of a kitchen knife using a towel until the blade broke off the handle.
—Carlos E. Castañeda, CBS News, 7 Apr. 2026
The studios negotiated for more than a month with the performers’ union in February and March, but broke off in order to turn their attention to the writers.
—Gene Maddaus, Variety, 4 Apr. 2026
Sixty yards beyond, the ridge broke off sharply in three directions.
—Charles Elliott, Outdoor Life, 2 Apr. 2026
Amber Harding Outkick, FOXNews.com, 27 Apr. 2026
Sources confirm to People and TMZ that Zoë Kravitz and Channing Tatum broke off their engagement after three years together.
—Hannah Madlener, Glamour, 24 Apr. 2026
While other hummingbirds seemed primarily focused on the nectar, some occasionally broke off and darted into the insect cloud.
—Ernie Cowan, San Diego Union-Tribune, 12 Apr. 2026
When talks broke off in March, prospects of reaching a deal by May 31 appeared bleak.
—Mike Jones, New York Times, 10 Apr. 2026
The stabbing was so forceful that the tip of the knife broke off inside the officer’s head, Chamberlain said, but the officer was able to fire his gun and shoot the man during the attack.
—Katie Langford, Denver Post, 9 Apr. 2026
The victim fought off Mohammed after being stabbed, holding onto the blade of a kitchen knife using a towel until the blade broke off the handle.
—Carlos E. Castañeda, CBS News, 7 Apr. 2026
The studios negotiated for more than a month with the performers’ union in February and March, but broke off in order to turn their attention to the writers.
—Gene Maddaus, Variety, 4 Apr. 2026
Sixty yards beyond, the ridge broke off sharply in three directions.
—Charles Elliott, Outdoor Life, 2 Apr. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for broke off
Verb
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Hagerty batted around against three different West Orange pitchers and before the bleeding was stopped, the Huskies had plated 10 runs in a crazy inning.—
Chris Hays,
The Orlando Sentinel,
10 May 2026
-
For nearly two hours, Kid Rock barely stopped moving.—
Théoden Janes,
Charlotte Observer,
10 May 2026
Verb
-
The suspect then remained in the country after his status expired in 2024.—
Sarah Rumpf-Whitten,
FOXNews.com,
7 May 2026
-
His Florida Department of Health online profile states he’s also licensed in Illinois, New Jersey and Pennsylvania, buthis New Jersey and Pennsylvania licenses expired in 2013.—
David J. Neal
May 6,
Miami Herald,
6 May 2026
Verb
-
Development ceased, and the Lucca would eventually be lost to time.—
Bryan Hood,
Robb Report,
6 May 2026
-
The fallout continues after Spirit Airlines ceased operations over the weekend.—
Veronica Ortega,
CBS News,
5 May 2026
Verb
-
The Australian policy of refusing to allow boat arrivals to settle has largely ended people smuggling from Southeast Asian ports in rickety fishing boats that had once thrived.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
6 May 2026
-
In 2023, Florida illegally ended Medicaid coverage for almost 500,000 recipients, primarily pregnant and postpartum women, infants and children.—
Sun Sentinel Editorial Board,
Sun Sentinel,
6 May 2026
Verb
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More commonly, prescribed burning is halted because Forest Service staff are occupied fighting wildfires.—
Lauren Sommer,
NPR,
4 May 2026
-
But while a subsequent ceasefire has largely halted fighting in Iran, Washington and Tehran remain unable to agree to a more secure peace.—
Sylvie Zhuang,
CNN Money,
4 May 2026
Verb
-
The global war concluded inconclusively, with territory changing hands in many directions.—
Daniel Immerwahr,
New Yorker,
4 May 2026
-
The other major social media trial to have concluded this year took place in Los Angeles in March.—
Jonathan Vanian,
CNBC,
4 May 2026
Verb
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Food aside, Sloane’s refusal to quit was the biggest factor, according to Lincoln-Way Central coach Ryan Kutt.—
Steve Millar,
Chicago Tribune,
9 May 2026
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Then, about a week after the jury was announced, its members collectively quit, without an explanation.—
Alex Greenberger,
ARTnews.com,
9 May 2026
Verb
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Since reuniting in 2014 after a decade-and-a-half of solo careers, actual careers, and day jobs, American Football can be counted among the bands who’ve tried picking up where that landmark left off.—
Sam Sodomsky,
Pitchfork,
4 May 2026
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Mostly left off the list were Washington’s supporters — who loudly screamed and chanted in the gallery.—
Kori Rumore,
Chicago Tribune,
2 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Broke off.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/broke%20off. Accessed 12 May. 2026.
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