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
Relevance
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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of broken off
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
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
-
But as the months have passed, Juni has stopped stashing food, loves to nap, and seems so much more at ease.—
Alyce Collins,
MSNBC Newsweek,
1 Oct. 2025
-
Carelessness and accidents happen, however, so take some time with each season to go through items and toss anything that’s faded, shattered, or stopped working.—
Mary Cornetta,
Better Homes & Gardens,
1 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
The big uncertainty is Ralf Rangnick, who was appointed as interim manager when Solskjaer went, with a two-year consultancy role lined up for the German once that 2021-22 season ended.—
Chris Weatherspoon,
New York Times,
1 Oct. 2025
-
Stu Sternberg’s era owning the Tampa Bay Rays has ended, and his style of running baseball operations on a shoestring budget has wrapped as well.—
Barry M. Bloom,
Sportico.com,
1 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
The government shutdown that began this week furloughed thousands of federal workers, froze essential government functions across the nation — and also halted an essential part of Florida’s booming real estate market.—
Alex Harris,
Miami Herald,
2 Oct. 2025
-
Medicare and Medicaid benefits also will still be paid, but many other aspects of the federal government have halted during the shutdown.—
Joey Garrison,
USA Today,
2 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Icelandic carrier Play Airlines ceased operations and cancelled all remaining flights around the globe over the weekend, the airline announced Sunday.—
Michael Cappetta,
Travel + Leisure,
30 Sep. 2025
-
In 2014, Keegan founded the spiritual community center Full Circle Venice, which has since seemingly ceased operations.—
Sophie Dodd,
PEOPLE,
30 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
This would not have been a serious consideration midway through Newcastle’s 2-0 win against struggling, flailing Nottingham Forest — the nothingness of half-time was like a blessed relief — but a stodgy, slow-burning afternoon concluded with Howe’s team comfortable and edging towards dominance.—
George Caulkin,
New York Times,
6 Oct. 2025
-
In September, an independent UN inquiry concluded for the first time that Israel had committed genocide against Palestinians in Gaza, a finding which the Israeli government has rejected.—
Zeena Saifi,
CNN Money,
5 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Many girls and women have turned to online education being offered by organizations in other countries, but the nationwide blackout now cuts off their access to that, too.—
Chantelle Lee,
Time,
30 Sep. 2025
-
The oppressive rule has led to nations cutting off aid, leading to one of the world’s worst humanitarian crises.—
semafor.com,
semafor.com,
30 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Democrats countered that the GOP proposal actually is partisan, since Republicans are seeking to extend funding following the passage of a controversial spending bill that narrowly passed in July over the objections of all congressional Democrats.—
Kevin Breuninger,Sam Meredith,
CNBC,
1 Oct. 2025
-
But as the months have passed, Juni has stopped stashing food, loves to nap, and seems so much more at ease.—
Alyce Collins,
MSNBC Newsweek,
1 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Taliban shuts off Afghanistan internet nationwide Afghanistan imposed a nationwide internet blackout, the latest sign of the Taliban government’s increasingly severe rule.—
Reed Albergotti,
semafor.com,
3 Oct. 2025
-
Rosenzweig soon learned his phone was shut off because Bondi fired him.—
Jay Weaver,
Miami Herald,
3 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Broken off.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/broken%20off. Accessed 6 Oct. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share