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
Synonyms & Similar Words
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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
An attorney for the team previously said the questioning would center on comments Reinsdorf made to the media in the days after the shooting, as well as the team’s decision to not call off the rest of the game after the shooting occurred, though a postgame concert with Vanilla Ice was called off.
—
Sam Charles, Chicago Tribune, 25 Mar. 2026
Amazon called off its purchase of robot vacuum maker iRobot in 2024 after facing regulatory hurdles in Europe and the United States.
—ABC News, 24 Mar. 2026
An increasing number of TSA officers have been calling off work, leading to staffing shortages inside airport security and lengthy screening lines at some airports.
—Gloria Pazmino, CNN Money, 23 Mar. 2026
Women's Bracket Roundup Some of the first and second round women’s tournament games probably could’ve been called off by halftime.
—Tim Rohan, NBC news, 23 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for call off
Sam Charles, Chicago Tribune, 25 Mar. 2026
Amazon called off its purchase of robot vacuum maker iRobot in 2024 after facing regulatory hurdles in Europe and the United States.
—ABC News, 24 Mar. 2026
An increasing number of TSA officers have been calling off work, leading to staffing shortages inside airport security and lengthy screening lines at some airports.
—Gloria Pazmino, CNN Money, 23 Mar. 2026
Women's Bracket Roundup Some of the first and second round women’s tournament games probably could’ve been called off by halftime.
—Tim Rohan, NBC news, 23 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for call off
Recent Examples of Synonyms for call off
Verb
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Its glare-free screen also helps keep reflections away so you won't be distracted.—
George Yang,
PC Magazine,
27 Mar. 2026
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There are so many women that are underestimated, so many women that present themselves in ways that people can find distracting or make assumptions about because of it.—
Carly Thomas,
HollywoodReporter,
27 Mar. 2026
Verb
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His insurance company had even cancelled his homeowner’s policy, because he was deemed too great a risk.—
David D. Kirkpatrick,
New Yorker,
30 Mar. 2026
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Next to the Western Wall is Al Aqsa Mosque compound, Islam’s third-holiest site, which has also stood empty since the war started, canceling prayers during most of the Muslim holy month of Ramadan, which ended 10 days ago.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
29 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Data centers have sparked backlash from communities across the state that are worried about higher utility bills, strained power grids and water being diverted away from families to cool servers at massive data centers.—
Brendan Steinhauser,
Sun Sentinel,
1 Apr. 2026
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The flight crew initiated bomb threat protocol after hearing the threat and diverted the plane to Detroit Metro Airport, where it was isolated for a full security check, according to an FBI affidavit filed with the complaint.—
Eric Henderson,
CBS News,
1 Apr. 2026
Verb
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The vehicle was later found abandoned at Clement Park in Littleton.—
Christa Swanson,
CBS News,
28 Mar. 2026
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Avoid abandoning any fire without supervision.—
NC Weather Bot,
Charlotte Observer,
28 Mar. 2026
Verb
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In addition to the nausea and vomiting, scientists speculate appetite loss is also due to systemic stress that throws off the hormones that regulate hunger.—
Brad Stulberg,
Outside,
26 Mar. 2026
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The most viral videos feature fruits in absurd situations, ranging from scandalous affairs with other fruits to baby fruits thrown off a ship (yes, really).—
Saba Hamedy,
NBC news,
24 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Why the Rooney Rule is being debated The Rooney Rule is again under scrutiny after Florida Republican attorney general James Uthmeier sent NFL commissioner Roger Goodell a letter earlier this month calling for the policy to be scrapped.—
Mac Engel
March 30,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
30 Mar. 2026
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Democrats should commit to scrapping these taxes, which not only raise consumer prices but also slow growth, stifle competition and invite retaliation.—
Bloomberg Opinion,
Twin Cities,
29 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Forty-five years after Wong Kim Ark’s victory, the justices were pushed – after Japan attacked Pearl Harbor – to overturn that ruling and revoke citizenship for Japanese Americans born in the United States.—
Maureen Groppe,
USA Today,
28 Mar. 2026
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According to Celina police, the Texas Education Agency recently completed administrative action that permanently revoked Elliott's educator certificate.—
Doug Myers,
CBS News,
27 Mar. 2026
Verb
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After a series of mishaps, including a sandstorm, mechanical problems and a helicopter collision, the operation was aborted.—
Sheena Samu,
CBS News,
27 Mar. 2026
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Just before Sunday’s collision, controllers were dealing with another plane that had declared an emergency after aborting a takeoff and smelling an odor on the plane.—
Alexandra Skores,
CNN Money,
26 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Call off.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/call%20off. Accessed 2 Apr. 2026.
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