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
Relevance
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
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 call off
SpaceX and Axiom Space had already seen their launch attempts called off earlier this month because of weather and then repairs to the Falcon 9’s first-stage booster.
—
Richard Tribou, The Orlando Sentinel, 24 June 2025
Mamelodi eventually emerged as a 1-0 victor, boosting its chances of progressing to the knockout stage, but not before a lengthy delay led to speculation the game might be called off, alongside concerns that the Inter & Co Stadium in Orlando, Fla., would be virtually empty.
—Martin Rogers, New York Times, 18 June 2025
The number two singles match was called off before the start of the third set due to rain, but it would have been played if necessary.
—Justin Barrasso, Boston Herald, 10 June 2025
Tehran called off nuclear talks that Washington had said were the only way to halt Israel's bombing, while Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said the attacks were nothing compared with what Iran would see in the coming days.
—Alexander Cornwell, USA Today, 15 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for call off
Richard Tribou, The Orlando Sentinel, 24 June 2025
Mamelodi eventually emerged as a 1-0 victor, boosting its chances of progressing to the knockout stage, but not before a lengthy delay led to speculation the game might be called off, alongside concerns that the Inter & Co Stadium in Orlando, Fla., would be virtually empty.
—Martin Rogers, New York Times, 18 June 2025
The number two singles match was called off before the start of the third set due to rain, but it would have been played if necessary.
—Justin Barrasso, Boston Herald, 10 June 2025
Tehran called off nuclear talks that Washington had said were the only way to halt Israel's bombing, while Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said the attacks were nothing compared with what Iran would see in the coming days.
—Alexander Cornwell, USA Today, 15 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for call off
Recent Examples of Synonyms for call off
Verb
-
Shepherding that split to reality will leave WBD leadership distracted for a year, Martin estimated.—
David Bloom,
Forbes.com,
21 June 2025
-
Cho, as the perceptive and generous Jin, distracted from his own family troubles by the sudden flashes of Casey’s bright light, is wise and rejuvenated; disinterested admiration makes this man, who looks to be in his forties, nearly a teen-ager again.—
Richard Brody,
New Yorker,
20 June 2025
Verb
-
The Department of Transportation is free to update its guidance about how that program is administered moving forward, Lin wrote, but that does not require suspending the distribution of money — and should not involve canceling plans that were already approved.—
Camila Domonoske,
NPR,
25 June 2025
-
After four seasons, HGTV has cancelled Married to Real Estate, the home renovation series hosted by Egypt Sherrod and her husband Mike Jackson.—
Nick Caruso,
TVLine,
25 June 2025
Verb
-
Severe weather conditions in the area led to ground stops and flights being diverted at the airport on Friday.—
Nadine El-Bawab,
ABC News,
28 June 2025
-
Sharing surplus meals through community apps like Too Good To Go helps to address food insecurity while diverting food from landfills.—
Dianne Plummer,
Forbes.com,
27 June 2025
Verb
-
To add insult to injury, Pfizer abandoned its plan just a few years after the Kelo decision, just as its tax breaks were about to expire and after about $80 million of taxpayer money was spent, and the land remains a vacant lot all these years later.—
The Editorial Board,
Oc Register,
22 June 2025
-
Another noted that the Post tried to become a national rival to The New York Times and failed — abandoning its identity as a regional and D.C. insider paper in the process.—
Andy Meek,
Forbes.com,
21 June 2025
Verb
-
As the weak signals from the global positioning satellites pass through this suddenly turbulent region, they get thrown off course.—
Tereza Pultarova,
Space.com,
22 June 2025
-
Many operate on asset-light, franchise-heavy models that throw off steady income with minimal capital intensity.—
Jim Osman,
Forbes.com,
19 June 2025
Verb
-
In March 2024, JetBlue and Spirit scrapped a $3.8 billion merger agreement after a U.S. judge blocked the deal on anti-competition concerns.—
David Shepardson,
USA Today,
26 June 2025
-
If developers are unable to secure alternative financing, many solar projects would likely be scrapped altogether.—
Chris Hopper,
Fortune,
24 June 2025
Verb
-
Advertisement In other cases, however, the Supreme Court has ruled in favor of the Administration on immigration, giving it legroom to revoke temporary legal protections and deport many migrants—including to countries other than their own.—
Solcyré Burga,
Time,
25 June 2025
-
Children's Health Defense has sued to curb vaccine requirements, petitioned federal agencies to revoke vaccine authorizations and spread misinformation about vaccines.—
Paula Cohen,
CBS News,
25 June 2025
Verb
-
During the qualifying session at Circuit Gilles Villeneuve, Hadjar was informed Williams' Carlos Sainz was behind him but had aborted his lap.—
Lydia Mee,
MSNBC Newsweek,
14 June 2025
-
The Australian perennial chart-topper has been performing on her Tension tour to sell-out crowds in the UK, but has been forced to abort four imminent European dates after coming down with laryngitis – inflammation of the vocal chords and voice box.—
Caroline Frost,
Deadline,
14 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“Call off.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/call%20off. Accessed 4 Jul. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share