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
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
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
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
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
-
Sage could have stopped there and given Shannon her consolation hug after winning the day by turning the tribe vote against her.—
Dalton Ross,
Entertainment Weekly,
30 Oct. 2025
-
Her focus is less on the reason for the decline than on the question of why people—even close family members—stopped talking with one another.—
Alex Kotlowitz,
The Atlantic,
29 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
His tenure ended after consecutive losses to his former Notre Dame defensive coordinators Clark Lea (now the Vanderbilt head coach) and Mike Elko (Texas A&M), putting him at 34-14 in Baton Rouge.—
Chris Vannini,
New York Times,
30 Oct. 2025
-
However, Megan felt no spark in person with Mike, so that ended quickly.—
Sydney Bucksbaum,
Entertainment Weekly,
30 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Under the ceasefire accord, Hamas released all living hostages in return for nearly 2,000 Palestinian prisoners and wartime detainees, while Israel pulled back its troops, halted its offensive and increased aid into the enclave.—
USA Today,
USA Today,
30 Oct. 2025
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If funding lapses, the USDA can only use existing funds, and once these funds are depleted, SNAP payments to 42 million Americans could be halted until Congress acts.—
MSNBC Newsweek,
MSNBC Newsweek,
30 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
While Sam's Club has ceased distribution and product sales, there may be consumers who still have the product at their homes, according to the FDA's release.—
Amaris Encinas,
USA Today,
4 Nov. 2025
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But in 2019, Gullane ceased communications with Wild, according to the complaint.—
Winston Cho,
HollywoodReporter,
4 Nov. 2025
Verb
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Trump has repeatedly threatened to cut off federal funding to New York City — and even take control of it — if Mamdani won.—
Gabe Whisnant,
MSNBC Newsweek,
5 Nov. 2025
-
When the government cut off SNAP payments to poor families, a small restaurant-owner in Owensboro stepped in to give people free food.—
Ray Padilla,
Louisville Courier Journal,
4 Nov. 2025
Verb
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As dinner concluded, Cynthia Erivo took the microphone to invite everyone to continue the celebration.—
Ryma Chikhoune,
Footwear News,
2 Nov. 2025
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Finally, panelists concluded by talking about the importance of guardrails that protect creators and their intellectual property.—
Andrew McGowan,
Variety,
31 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Employees in programs that lost their funding in the budget request are preparing to shut off functioning spacecraft.—
Josh Dinner,
Space.com,
31 Oct. 2025
-
Federal food assistance and other support agencies are set to shut off this weekend while many essential workers go without pay or anticipate layoffs.—
Nicole Fallert,
USA Today,
29 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Available colors and sizing are limited, so be sure to snap up your pair before they’re gone.—
Mia Huelsbeck,
PEOPLE,
31 Oct. 2025
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Videos of diners who were surprised to see the singer at one of the restaurant chain’s locations have also gone viral.—
Natalia Cano,
Billboard,
31 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Broken off.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/broken%20off. Accessed 5 Nov. 2025.
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