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
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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Can the textpocalypse be stopped?—
Jill Lepore,
New Yorker,
18 May 2026
-
Otherwise, the Canadiens were stopped on their first shot and scored on their next three in Game 6; the Sabres were stopped on their first shot and scored on three straight against Jakub Dobeš in Game 5.—
Matthew Fairburn,
New York Times,
17 May 2026
Verb
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But Aaron Nesmith made six 6-pointers in the fourth before Haliburton’s long 2-pointer — which bounced high off the rim and fell through the net as time expired — forced overtime.—
Peter Sblendorio,
New York Daily News,
14 May 2026
-
Second-year guard Sarah Ashlee Barker scored the game-winner on a put-back right before time expired, and pandemonium ensued.—
Sabreena Merchant,
New York Times,
13 May 2026
Verb
-
During his temporary leadership, FEMA ceased door-to-door canvassing to reach survivors after disasters, and canceled a multibillion-dollar resilience grant program, since restored by a federal judge.—
Gabriela Aoun Angueira,
Los Angeles Times,
12 May 2026
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The president told Congress on May 1 that hostilities had ceased, on the day that would have been the deadline for congressional authorization.—
Garrett Downs,
CNBC,
12 May 2026
Verb
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After the review, McNabb was assessed a five-minute major penalty for interference and a game misconduct that ended his night.—
Eric Stephens,
New York Times,
13 May 2026
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After one more look-ahead sizzle reminding the audience about the power of WBD’s IP, the show ended at just about 10 minutes over the hour mark.—
Jennifer Maas,
Variety,
13 May 2026
Verb
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The loss marked an early end for the Frost, which had previously gone a perfect 6-0 when facing elimination in the PWHL playoffs, and halted the team’s quest for a rare threepeat.—
Hailey Salvian,
New York Times,
13 May 2026
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Waymo has drawn criticism for its vehicles failing to yield to school buses in Austin, and for the performance of its vehicles during widespread power outages in San Francisco in December, when robotaxis halted in traffic, causing gridlock.—
Lora Kolodny,
CNBC,
12 May 2026
Verb
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Two Connecticut State Police troopers have been cleared in connection with a fatal shooting in Bozrah last August after the state Inspector General concluded that the armed woman who was shot was apparently trying to commit suicide by cop.—
Justin Muszynski,
Hartford Courant,
12 May 2026
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Personnel in full-body protective gear and breathing masks escorted the travelers from ship to shore in Tenerife, an effort that concluded Monday.—
Mike Corder,
Chicago Tribune,
11 May 2026
Verb
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The thesis of Brady’s commencement, though, was battling through adversity and never quitting, and the best way for Brady to tell his motivational message was by telling the story of his Super Bowl LI comeback against the Atlanta Falcons.—
Ryan Morik,
FOXNews.com,
16 May 2026
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These are intended to offer an appealing alternative smoking cessation product for adults who wish to quit.—
Joshua P. Cohen,
Forbes.com,
15 May 2026
Verb
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Vanderpump Rules heads to Las Vegas as the original series was notably left off the list of renewals ordered by Bravo.—
McKinley Franklin,
HollywoodReporter,
11 May 2026
-
Tadeo Allende was left off the game roster as a precaution for signs of muscle fatigue, per a team spokesman.—
Miami Herald,
Miami Herald,
9 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Broke off.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/broke%20off. Accessed 19 May. 2026.
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