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
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
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
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
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
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
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Invitation Homes, known as the largest institutional home buyer, also dove 6%, while American Homes 4 Rent (AMH) saw trading briefly halted due to volatility after shares hit a three-year low.—
Eva Roytburg,
Fortune,
8 Jan. 2026
-
The first phase of the ceasefire halted the fighting and saw an exchange of hostages held by Hamas in exchange for hundreds of Palestinians held by Israel.—
Wafaa Shurafa,
Los Angeles Times,
8 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
In other words, the property tax wars may have ceased, but the dust still hasn’t settled.—
Nick Coltrain,
Denver Post,
6 Jan. 2026
-
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
-
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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In three full seasons since that postseason run – which concluded quickly as a result of a crushing 34-11 loss to the Los Angeles Rams in the wild-card round – Murray has failed to post a winning season as a starter.—
Jacob Camenker,
USA Today,
9 Nov. 2025
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Salt-n-Pepa also joined in, and the group of artists concluded the set with a call-and-response moment alongside the crowd, encouraging everyone to scream along.—
Larisha Paul,
Rolling Stone,
9 Nov. 2025
Verb
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Greater Cincinnati Water Works will not shut off water for customers who don't pay their bills – if those customers have been furloughed from federal jobs or denied SNAP benefits.—
Patricia Gallagher Newberry,
Cincinnati Enquirer,
7 Nov. 2025
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Liz Marx, director of the Pennsylvania Utility Law Project, worries about families whose utility service is currently shut off who are counting on LIHEAP to restore services.—
NPR,
NPR,
6 Nov. 2025
Verb
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Today, the American Royal still hosts its annual rodeo, equestrian show, livestock show, and the World Series of Barbecue, but gone are the days of horses, cattle, and marching bands parading through downtown Kansas City — or anywhere else.—
Patrick Salland,
Kansas City Star,
7 Nov. 2025
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Grech Motors has been around for more than four decades now, during which time it’s gone from building stretch limousines to high-end luxury shuttle buses and people movers.—
Bryan Hood,
Robb Report,
7 Nov. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Broken off.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/broken%20off. Accessed 10 Jan. 2026.
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