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
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The catcher was hitless in his previous 30 at-bats before connecting for his first homer this season Saturday night, a two-run shot in the seventh inning of a 3-2 win that stopped San Diego's six-game losing streak.—
CBS New York Team,
CBS News,
8 June 2026
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In Pixar’s Cars, the Cozy Cone Motel was inspired by the Blue Swallow Motel, and Bob Dylan even stopped to paint it around 2019.—
Arati Menon,
Condé Nast Traveler,
7 June 2026
Verb
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The superintendent of the Fairfield-Suisun Unified School District said that a shooting took place after the graduation ceremonies had ended.—
Clara Harter,
Los Angeles Times,
4 June 2026
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The SoCal Indie Bestsellers List for the sales week ended May 31 is based on reporting from the independent booksellers of Southern California, the California Independent Booksellers Alliance and IndieBound.—
Staff report,
Daily News,
3 June 2026
Verb
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The country’s growth outlook has darkened due to the ongoing Middle East conflict, which has effectively halted oil flows through the Strait of Hormuz, pushing up energy and commodities prices globally.—
Anniek Bao,
CNBC,
3 June 2026
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The World Health Organization halted its trial of hydroxychloroquine after a large, randomized study conducted in the United Kingdom found the drug lacked any apparent effect on mortality when treating COVID-19.—
USA Today,
USA Today,
2 June 2026
Verb
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Another location in central Pennsylvania ceased operations on May 24, according to reporting from ABC 27 News, an ABC affiliate based in Harrisburg.—
Gabe Hauari,
USA Today,
3 June 2026
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The Climb’s financing never materialized, prep was ceased, and by January 2025, the whole venture collapsed when rights to the film lapsed.—
Jake Kanter,
Deadline,
3 June 2026
Verb
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So the Devil orders the father to cut off his daughter’s offending hands.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
3 June 2026
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The strait’s closure continues to cut off 20% of the world’s oil supply from global markets, along with liquid natural gas and fertilizer needed for a functioning global economy.—
Vanessa Yurkevich,
CNN Money,
2 June 2026
Verb
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The turning point came in the late summer of 2015, just after the Iran nuclear deal was concluded.—
Bozorgmehr Sharafedin,
The Atlantic,
1 June 2026
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In September, an independent UN inquiry concluded that Israel had committed genocide against Palestinians in Gaza, a finding the Israeli government rejected.—
Sana Noor Haq,
CNN Money,
1 June 2026
Verb
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Often condo towers will shut off their cooling towers, which keep the AC running, for safety during a hurricane.—
Catherine Odom,
Miami Herald,
30 May 2026
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Atmos Energy, a natural gas provider in the area, said service to the neighborhood remained shut off, and company officials were working with investigators on-site.—
JAMIE STENGLE,
Arkansas Online,
29 May 2026
Verb
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Healthcare and social assistance – a sector buoyed by an aging population – has gone from driving job gains to propping up the entire labor market.—
Alicia Wallace,
CNN Money,
4 June 2026
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The rainbow crosswalks along Cedar Springs Road in Dallas may be gone, but community members say their spirit remains strong.—
Marissa Armas,
CBS News,
4 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Broken off.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/broken%20off. Accessed 8 Jun. 2026.
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