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
Police called off their pursuit of Cook over safety concerns, but found his vehicle abandoned in a neighborhood less than a mile away.
—
Alex Brizee, Idaho Statesman, 11 Sep. 2025
To call off the project now, as many of its detractors in the White House desire, would waste years of advancement.
—Theo Burman, MSNBC Newsweek, 11 Sep. 2025
While visiting their mom's grave on the fifth anniversary of her death, the estranged brothers talk for the first time since Conrad's last-minute confession of love spurred Belly to call off her wedding to Jeremiah, and amidst the anger, Jeremiah gave Conrad his pseudo permission to pursue Belly.
—Julia Moore, People.com, 11 Sep. 2025
Then in June, the project was called off.
—David Gelles, Time, 9 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for call off
Alex Brizee, Idaho Statesman, 11 Sep. 2025
To call off the project now, as many of its detractors in the White House desire, would waste years of advancement.
—Theo Burman, MSNBC Newsweek, 11 Sep. 2025
While visiting their mom's grave on the fifth anniversary of her death, the estranged brothers talk for the first time since Conrad's last-minute confession of love spurred Belly to call off her wedding to Jeremiah, and amidst the anger, Jeremiah gave Conrad his pseudo permission to pursue Belly.
—Julia Moore, People.com, 11 Sep. 2025
Then in June, the project was called off.
—David Gelles, Time, 9 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for call off
Recent Examples of Synonyms for call off
Verb
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Rather than distracting from the acting, the animation also only enhances the heightened emotions of adolescence.—
James Factora,
Them.,
26 Sep. 2025
-
Prosecutors told the jury not to be distracted by these arguments, that the broader picture clearly showed who was at the center of these killings.—
Miguel Torres,
AZCentral.com,
25 Sep. 2025
Verb
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This simple transmitter plugs into the headphone jack on your screen and connects to your favorite noise-canceling headphones to drown out the sounds of other passengers while allowing for hours of entertainment with your own personal earbuds.—
Merrell Readman,
Travel + Leisure,
27 Sep. 2025
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While airlines don't yet have travel advisories for travel to and from Phoenix, airlines generally rebook passengers on the next available flight at no additional cost when a flight is canceled or delayed.—
Michael Salerno,
AZCentral.com,
26 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Shippers may consider diverting cargo to alternative airports such as Xiamen or Ezhou, Seko says.—
Glenn Taylor,
Sourcing Journal,
24 Sep. 2025
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Advertisement The recent announcement only compounds the harm, confusing parents and diverting attention and resources from questions that could actually bring answers.—
Dr. Craig Spencer,
Time,
23 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Travis Decker, the man believed to have suffocated and abandoned his three young daughters at a campsite in the Washington state wilderness, is dead, Chelan County authorities said Thursday.—
Cindy Von Quednow,
CNN Money,
25 Sep. 2025
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The Gulf states are hedging against Israeli overreach—not abandoning America.—
Firas Maksad,
Time,
25 Sep. 2025
Verb
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The Europeans are far too mentally tough to be thrown off their game.—
Ian O'Connor,
New York Times,
28 Sep. 2025
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Perhaps an unexpected expense throws off your budget, or you’re no longer inspired by a recent investment.—
Valerie Mesa,
PEOPLE,
27 Sep. 2025
Verb
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The initiative had to be scrapped months later due to the economic effects of the coronavirus pandemic.—
Brian Steinberg,
Variety,
24 Sep. 2025
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Trump scrapped the sit-down set for Thursday just a day after people familiar with the situation said that his meeting with Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer and House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries would happen.—
Kevin Breuninger,Erin Doherty,
CNBC,
23 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Brendan Carr, the FCC’s chairman, had threatened to revoke the licenses of the network’s affiliates who continued to air Kimmel’s program in light of comments the host made about the fatal shooting of conservative commentator Charlie Kirk earlier in September.—
Hannah Dailey,
Billboard,
22 Sep. 2025
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If Heskett is convicted, his certification will be revoked.—
Lauren Penington,
Denver Post,
22 Sep. 2025
Verb
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As more and more eerie changes take place, all pregnant women in the village are forced to abort.—
Jenny S. Li,
Variety,
19 Sep. 2025
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Washington — The Federal Aviation Administration is investigating after a regional jet was forced to abort its landing at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport and circle the airport when pilots spotted an airport vehicle on the runway.—
Aaron Cooper,
CNN Money,
9 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Call off.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/call%20off. Accessed 30 Sep. 2025.
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