1
as in to distract
to draw the attention or mind to something else
she was about to tell me the big news when her attention was called off by the arrival of another guest
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to cancel
to put an end to (something planned or previously agreed to)
called off the party after half of those invited couldn't make it
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of call off
Lai's visit to Eswatini, the only African nation that maintains formal diplomatic relations with Taiwan, was called off after the Indian Ocean islands of Madagascar, Mauritius and Seychelles were pressured by China to withdraw permission for Lai's plane to fly over their territory, Taiwan said.
—
ABC News, 2 May 2026
Negotiations have continued by phone after Trump called off his envoys’ trip to Pakistan last week, the president said.
—Toqa Ezzidin, Chicago Tribune, 1 May 2026
Negotiations have continued by phone after Trump called off his envoys' trip to Pakistan last week, the president said.
—Arkansas Online, 1 May 2026
The vote was abruptly called off on Tuesday, per an ESPN report, and the NWSL chose to stick with the current schedule that city officials say will allow for BPS football games to be played at White Stadium for Thanksgiving and the playoffs.
—Gayla Cawley, Boston Herald, 1 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for call off
ABC News, 2 May 2026
Negotiations have continued by phone after Trump called off his envoys’ trip to Pakistan last week, the president said.
—Toqa Ezzidin, Chicago Tribune, 1 May 2026
Negotiations have continued by phone after Trump called off his envoys' trip to Pakistan last week, the president said.
—Arkansas Online, 1 May 2026
The vote was abruptly called off on Tuesday, per an ESPN report, and the NWSL chose to stick with the current schedule that city officials say will allow for BPS football games to be played at White Stadium for Thanksgiving and the playoffs.
—Gayla Cawley, Boston Herald, 1 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for call off
Recent Examples of Synonyms for call off
Verb
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Schapiro, a former university president, stepped down to avoid distracting from the ceremony.—
Staff,
FOXNews.com,
8 May 2026
-
Sure, robots can be kitschy and cute, but frankly, their growing presence has begun to irk and distract me, becoming a bit too synonymous with gimmicky pan-Asian hotpot fare.—
Charlotte Observer,
Charlotte Observer,
7 May 2026
Verb
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There’s a report in Bloomberg recently that half of data center plans are kind of stalled or being canceled because of material issues and things like that.—
Fortune Editors,
Fortune,
10 May 2026
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In the preceding weeks, at least 20 of North Carolina’s 115 public school districts canceled Friday classes due to a high number of teachers requesting leave to participate in the protest.—
Rebecca Noel,
Charlotte Observer,
10 May 2026
Verb
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The kingdom has managed to divert most of its oil exports to ports on the west coast, helping to shore up declining government revenues.—
Matthew Martin,
semafor.com,
6 May 2026
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The Minnesota Attorney General's Office said a temporary restraining order is in place to protect the nonprofit assets from being diverted.—
Ashley Grams,
CBS News,
6 May 2026
Verb
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In at least one instance, the driver was able to fight off a gunman and force the would-be robbers to abandon their plan, prosecutors said.—
Caleb Lunetta,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
8 May 2026
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People facing the prospect of prolonged ICE detention are increasingly abandoning their claims for humanitarian protection and agreeing to depart voluntarily.—
Maria Sacchetti,
Washington Post,
8 May 2026
Verb
-
Richard got thrown off a stage; Mal as well.—
Matt Thompson,
SPIN,
4 May 2026
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The Wolverines threw off their gloves and swarmed each other on the infield to celebrate.—
Dan Albano,
Oc Register,
1 May 2026
Verb
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What was old will be scrapped and sold for parts.—
Doreen St. Félix,
New Yorker,
9 May 2026
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But that can also cause increases in maintenance costs as well as the likelihood that a vehicle needs repairs that exceed its value or has to be scrapped altogether.—
Michael Wayland,
CNBC,
9 May 2026
Verb
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King’s federal indictment on multiple drug offenses, including distributing 28 grams or more of crack cocaine, prompted a state judge on Friday to revoke his conditional release from Norfolk Superior Court.—
Lance Reynolds,
Boston Herald,
9 May 2026
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Once a passport is revoked, it may no longer be used for travel, even if the debt is later paid, according to State Department guidance.—
Sarah Rumpf-Whitten,
FOXNews.com,
8 May 2026
Verb
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That flight had twice aborted takeoff and declared an emergency due to an odor onboard that was sickening flight attendants.—
Aaron Cooper,
CNN Money,
23 Apr. 2026
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Republic Airways said the flight, operating as American Airlines Flight 4464, aborted its initial landing attempt and performed a go-around during its approach into JFK.—
Greg Wehner,
FOXNews.com,
22 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Call off.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/call%20off. Accessed 13 May. 2026.
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