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
The union which represents more than 2,000 workers at SoFi Stadium has broken off negotiations with the stadium operators and plans to hold a strike vote next week ahead of the FIFA World Cup.
—
Adam Crafton, New York Times, 29 May 2026
At that point, Preston had divorced Gage and also broken off an engagement to fellow actor Charlie Sheen.
—Emma Banks, InStyle, 22 May 2026
The top of the column was broken off by vandals several years ago.
—Voice Of The People, New York Daily News, 15 May 2026
Beijing has broken off communication with Taiwan’s government, and in recent years, started sending warplanes and warships closer to the island in almost daily drills.
—ABC News, 11 May 2026
The van was parked and unoccupied, and a key was broken off in the driver’s door lock, police said.
—Cale Ahearn, Baltimore Sun, 6 May 2026
It was found empty with a key broken off in the driver's side door lock, according to police.
—Jt Moodee Lockman, CBS News, 22 Apr. 2026
The key had been broken off on the driver's side door.
—Samira Asma-Sadeque, PEOPLE, 22 Apr. 2026
During meteor showers, Earthlings ooh and aah over bits of rock that have broken off comets or asteroids as the travel around the sun.
—Claire Cameron, Scientific American, 20 Apr. 2026
Adam Crafton, New York Times, 29 May 2026
At that point, Preston had divorced Gage and also broken off an engagement to fellow actor Charlie Sheen.
—Emma Banks, InStyle, 22 May 2026
The top of the column was broken off by vandals several years ago.
—Voice Of The People, New York Daily News, 15 May 2026
Beijing has broken off communication with Taiwan’s government, and in recent years, started sending warplanes and warships closer to the island in almost daily drills.
—ABC News, 11 May 2026
The van was parked and unoccupied, and a key was broken off in the driver’s door lock, police said.
—Cale Ahearn, Baltimore Sun, 6 May 2026
It was found empty with a key broken off in the driver's side door lock, according to police.
—Jt Moodee Lockman, CBS News, 22 Apr. 2026
The key had been broken off on the driver's side door.
—Samira Asma-Sadeque, PEOPLE, 22 Apr. 2026
During meteor showers, Earthlings ooh and aah over bits of rock that have broken off comets or asteroids as the travel around the sun.
—Claire Cameron, Scientific American, 20 Apr. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for broken off
Verb
-
In the months before the shooting, Mangione’s once active online presence stopped, and his mother filed a missing persons’ report.—
Nicki Brown,
CNN Money,
14 June 2026
-
Once the match started, the tours of the property stopped and all attention turned to the soccer game.—
Miami Herald,
Miami Herald,
14 June 2026
Verb
-
Zach Neto was hit by a pitch and Mike Trout ended an 0-for-22 slump with a single to load the bases.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
10 June 2026
-
If the season ended Tuesday, Chicago would have the second AL wild-card spot.—
Johnny Flores Jr,
New York Times,
10 June 2026
Verb
-
Iran temporarily halted enrichment, but resumed it in 2006.—
Kevin Liptak,
CNN Money,
14 June 2026
-
The event was halted after an hour due to fears about her safety, which distressingly encapsulates a tension that the trans Mayan artist has navigated for years.—
Eugenie Brinkema,
ARTnews.com,
14 June 2026
Verb
-
Bolt Threads ceased production of its Mylo leather alternative in 2023, after failing to secure enough funding to reach commercial scale.—
Bella Webb,
Vogue,
11 June 2026
-
But when the exhilaration of change had ceased, London was no good.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
10 June 2026
Verb
-
Not only was the Plaza33 party called off in coordination with the Secret Service, but a secure area was established around the ten-block radius surrounding the arena, cutting off foot and car traffic in one of the most hectic stretches of midtown Manhattan.—
Dan Adler,
Vanity Fair,
9 June 2026
-
The gas can no longer cool fast enough to fall in and the galaxy is suddenly cut off from its fuel supply.—
Paul Sutter,
Space.com,
9 June 2026
Verb
-
The West-Batula news fractured the cast due to secrecy and betrayals, and the fallout from the off-camera events has played out over an explosive three-part reunion that concluded last week.—
Jackie Strause,
HollywoodReporter,
15 June 2026
-
After the six previous matches concluded rather quickly with bloodless knockouts (a UFC record), the fight between American Gaethje and the German-born, Georgia and Spain-representing Topuria lasted much longer.—
Culture Critic,
Los Angeles Times,
15 June 2026
Verb
-
Will my electricity be shut off during California heat wave?—
Sacbee.com,
Sacbee.com,
9 June 2026
-
The Windsor Locks Fire Department quickly responded to shut off the water and prevent further damage.—
Staff Report,
Hartford Courant,
8 June 2026
Verb
-
Several photos and videos of her strutting down the runway at PrettyLittleThing’s Miami Swim Week event have gone viral, sparking conversation about her transformation.—
Allison DeGrushe,
StyleCaster,
11 June 2026
-
After his death, Capo moved back to her native Puerto Rico, hoping to escape the constant reminders in Orlando that her son was gone.—
Natalia Jaramillo,
The Orlando Sentinel,
11 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Broken off.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/broken%20off. Accessed 16 Jun. 2026.
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