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 tooth could have broken off at different levels possibly leaving part of the crown or the root.
—
Dr. John De Jong, Boston Herald, 11 Jan. 2026
There was a piece of grass in the same cornea — not embedded in the scar tissue, but broken off in the healthy cornea beside it.
—Natalie Krebs, Outdoor Life, 24 Dec. 2025
Each cutting should have 2 to 5 leaf segments and be clipped off with clean shears or scissors or gently broken off with your fingers between two leaf segments.
—Lauren Landers, Better Homes & Gardens, 8 Dec. 2025
Lumpkins’ fingernails were broken off because she had been dragged from under the bed.
—Grethel Aguila, Miami Herald, 23 Oct. 2025
Barber, the detective, testified that the tip of that knife was broken off, and there appeared to be blood on the blade and handle.
—City News Service, San Diego Union-Tribune, 8 Oct. 2025
Already one had broken off and, sadly the second one came from the top.
—Adam Sabes, FOXNews.com, 1 Oct. 2025
Current data suggests the asteroid features a bright surface made of solid rock, possibly broken off of a distant planet or another asteroid.
—Andrew Paul, Popular Science, 18 Sep. 2025
Tyler Warren and Jonathan Taylor have each broken off explosive pass plays.
—Joe Nguyen, Denver Post, 14 Sep. 2025
Dr. John De Jong, Boston Herald, 11 Jan. 2026
There was a piece of grass in the same cornea — not embedded in the scar tissue, but broken off in the healthy cornea beside it.
—Natalie Krebs, Outdoor Life, 24 Dec. 2025
Each cutting should have 2 to 5 leaf segments and be clipped off with clean shears or scissors or gently broken off with your fingers between two leaf segments.
—Lauren Landers, Better Homes & Gardens, 8 Dec. 2025
Lumpkins’ fingernails were broken off because she had been dragged from under the bed.
—Grethel Aguila, Miami Herald, 23 Oct. 2025
Barber, the detective, testified that the tip of that knife was broken off, and there appeared to be blood on the blade and handle.
—City News Service, San Diego Union-Tribune, 8 Oct. 2025
Already one had broken off and, sadly the second one came from the top.
—Adam Sabes, FOXNews.com, 1 Oct. 2025
Current data suggests the asteroid features a bright surface made of solid rock, possibly broken off of a distant planet or another asteroid.
—Andrew Paul, Popular Science, 18 Sep. 2025
Tyler Warren and Jonathan Taylor have each broken off explosive pass plays.
—Joe Nguyen, Denver Post, 14 Sep. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for broken off
Verb
-
Ross, who was one of several federal agents involved in the arrest, initially drew his service weapon, but holstered the gun after Muñoz-Guatemala stopped his car and raised his hands, according to the affidavit.—
Allison Gordon,
CNN Money,
9 Jan. 2026
-
Braddy stopped the car, got Quantisha back inside, and put Shandelle in the trunk, before driving for 30 to 45 minutes.—
Nicole Acosta,
PEOPLE,
9 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Just weeks after the fun ended, Mosley must convince boosters, donors and fans that 2025 doesn’t have to be a one-off.—
Mac Engel
January 9,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
9 Jan. 2026
-
The Royals are one of nine MLB teams that have ended deals with Main Street Sports this week.—
Pete Grathoff,
Kansas City Star,
9 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
De Blasio halted the successful Bloomberg initiatives and wasted hundreds of millions of dollars on efforts to improve failing schools rather than replacing them.—
Ray Domanico,
Washington Post,
9 Jan. 2026
-
Between March 2020 and September 2023, loan repayments were halted, offering borrowers a period of relief as the pandemic caused economic challenges, leaving many without income and job loss.—
Tevon Blair,
Essence,
9 Jan. 2026
Verb
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In other words, the property tax wars may have ceased, but the dust still hasn’t settled.—
Nick Coltrain,
Denver Post,
6 Jan. 2026
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The primary means of transportation in Caracas, the metro, was out of service after the attack, while buses also ceased operation, El Spectator reported.—
Brady Knox,
The Washington Examiner,
4 Jan. 2026
Verb
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The easiest way to cut into a pomegranate is to cut off the peel near the blossom end.—
Mary Ann Esposito,
Boston Herald,
7 Jan. 2026
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One congressman suggested that Washington should sooner cut off his own hand than sign a bill that would see his likeness on a coin, a move that would put him in the company of Nero and Caligula.—
Jake Lundberg,
The Atlantic,
7 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Both concluded the same year, after which McHale played Tad O'Malley on The X-Files reboot.—
Angela Andaloro,
PEOPLE,
13 Jan. 2026
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The first project – converting the former Sedgefield Elementary into a Montessori program for pre-K through 6th grade – concluded in August.—
Rebecca Noel,
Charlotte Observer,
12 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Officials cut off the country's internet on Thursday, effectively shutting off Iran from the outside world.—
Haley Ott,
CBS News,
10 Jan. 2026
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San Marcos Electric Utilities has also shut off power to the building as a precaution, a public safety representative told MySA.—
Alexis Simmerman,
Austin American Statesman,
9 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Below, shop the best belt bag deals of the month before they’re gone for good.—
Mariana Best,
Better Homes & Gardens,
11 Jan. 2026
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Based on Agatha Christie’s thrilling mystery, the upcoming Netflix series of the same name is a detective story about a sleuth who investigates a prank gone tragically wrong.—
Carly Tagen-Dye,
PEOPLE,
10 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Broken off.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/broken%20off. Accessed 15 Jan. 2026.
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