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
Negotiations with the stadium operators, Legends Global, were broken off last week after multiple bargaining sessions failed to reach an agreement.
—
Adam Crafton,
New York Times,
9 June 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,
9 June 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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Large car rally disrupted in Baltimore Police said 36 traffic citations were issued and 54 vehicles were stopped after a large gathering of vehicles in the 1000 block of Wilson Drive in South Baltimore.
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The victim in the latest attack had stopped to swim with her boyfriend and friend in the Econlockhatchee River just north of Orlando Sunday afternoon when the alligator bit her, the FWC said in a press briefing.
Verb
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Soon after then-President Nicolás Maduro was captured by the US in January, Venezuela ended Cuba’s long-standing medical mission in the country, cutting off a key resource in underserved communities.
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On the way to the oyster farm, Luke asks about a ring Joy is wearing, which turns out to be from an engagement that ended badly.
Verb
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In the end that discussion was halted by Paramount’s superior bid.
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Just days after the White House confirmed the plans, a Kenyan court temporarily halted the proposal with Kenyan High Court Judge Patricia Nyaundi upholding that decision and ordering the Kenyan government to cease all building and operations at the base while the case is resolved.
Verb
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While nearly 3,500 newspapers have ceased publication during the new millennium, the Daily Herald is nonetheless joining a growing chain in a shrinking industry.
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Serious headwinds Last July, months after construction at the site ceased, giving way to 4-foot-tall weeds, Bryant said that although the company had raised $9 million from investors, the project ran into serious headwinds.
Verb
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Mysterio tripped Page onto the second rope, but Page cut off Rey Mysterio with a big boot as Rey attempted a 619.
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Soon after then-President Nicolás Maduro was captured by the US in January, Venezuela ended Cuba’s long-standing medical mission in the country, cutting off a key resource in underserved communities.
Verb
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King concluded that Saulter was in a conspiracy to get King removed from office, and directed Arriola to view recordings of other cameras in the office to determine who was entering the offices of Saulter and Goodloe.
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LeBron James's eight-year tenure with the Los Angeles Lakers, though marked by an NBA championship and record-breaking achievements, concluded with his decision to depart.
Verb
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With extreme fire conditions persisting in Utah, Rocky Mountain Power also shut off power lines serving Beaver County and other areas.
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Two weeks ago, Lutnick invoked export control authorities to require Anthropic to shut off access to its two most capable systems, Mythos 5 and Fable 5, citing threats to national security.
Verb
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Your chance to take up to 70 percent off brands like Samsonite, Vionic, and New Balance is almost gone.
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There was a time in this country when the Democratic Party held the moral high ground in American politics, but those days are long gone, and one need look no farther than oyster farmer Graham Platner for proof.
Cite this Entry
“Broken off.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/broken%20off. Accessed 2 Jul. 2026.
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