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 ended
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 broken off
Two park signs and a memorial tree were damaged, with the bottom half of one sign broken off and the other kicked down, splitting it in half.
—
Olivia Stevens, Chicago Tribune, 22 Aug. 2025
The new research focused on clasts, fragments broken off from the mountain during the landslide.
—Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 20 Aug. 2025
Within a few minutes, whatever was on the other end had broken off the 80-pound line.
—Jack Prator, The Orlando Sentinel, 16 Aug. 2025
Olivia Stevens, Chicago Tribune, 22 Aug. 2025
The new research focused on clasts, fragments broken off from the mountain during the landslide.
—Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 20 Aug. 2025
Within a few minutes, whatever was on the other end had broken off the 80-pound line.
—Jack Prator, The Orlando Sentinel, 16 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for broken off
Verb
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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
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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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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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Palisades ceased operating in May 2022 after providing electricity for over 50 years in southwest Michigan.—
Noël Fletcher,
Forbes.com,
29 Aug. 2025
Verb
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Earlier this spring, the Globe concluded its investigation.—
Max Tani,
semafor.com,
8 Sep. 2025
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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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Pre-order offers officially run until September 12, but Deluxe Edition-specific bonuses will likely cut off a day earlier, based on past years.—
Brian Mazique,
Forbes.com,
2 Sep. 2025
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The White House cut off billions of Harvard’s federal dollars, then tried to block the school’s ability to enroll international students, who for the last four years have made up more than a fourth of the student body.—
Andy Rose,
CNN Money,
2 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
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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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The communication system shuts off 15 seconds before the play clock expires.—
Omar Kelly,
Miami Herald,
5 Sep. 2025
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Emergency repairs are underway as water services have been shut off for about 60 customers in the area.—
Sally Krutzig,
Idaho Statesman,
28 Aug. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Broken off.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/broken%20off. Accessed 9 Sep. 2025.
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