CALL OFF Synonyms: 61 Similar and Opposite Words

call off

verb

Definition of call off

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

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 This logic has endured since 1935, when the League of Nations sanctioned Italy for invading Ethiopia, in the hope that doing so would induce Italy to call off its invasion or at least temper its ambitions. — S. C. M. Paine, Foreign Affairs, 3 Nov. 2026 When a police helicopter takes over, the ground chase is called off, unless the deputy is conducting a PIT maneuver, or the suspect is armed. — Brittany Wallman, Miami Herald, 30 Oct. 2026 The game was called off after the injury, and Savoy took a loss by forfeit, according to Savoy ISD. — Charles Baggarly, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 30 Oct. 2026 Trump has also called off plans to renew attacks on Iran before. — Miranda Jeyaretnam, Time, 22 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for call off

Recent Examples of Synonyms for call off

Verb

In her first sketch, Navarrette and Hernandez played the ghost of a couple of 1930s kids on the Queen Mary who keep distracting a tourist from hearing where another ghost’s treasure is hidden.

— Glenn Garner, Deadline, 31 Oct. 2026
Driscoll was nearby the whole time, but was distracted with the installation of a new oven.

— Mark Price, Charlotte Observer, 30 Oct. 2026

Definition of distract

Verb

First-class seats will come with 32-inch 4K high-definition screens, Bang and Olufsen noise-cancelling headphones and options for passengers to book double bed and face-to-face dining configurations.

— Lim Hui Jie, CNBC, 6 Nov. 2026
In 1996, Smack signed up for an open mic in Virginia, but nobody showed up, so the event was canceled.

— Ethan Shanfeld, Variety, 5 Nov. 2026

Definition of cancel

Verb

Irish airline Aer Lingus diverted its Dublin to Rome flight on Thursday morning following a hoax bomb threat.

— Jenni Reid, CNBC, 7 Nov. 2026
But in a real Earth-threatening scenario, even such a tiny shift could help divert an asteroid on a collision course — as long as scientists get enough advance warning of its approach.

— Robert Lea, Space.com, 6 Nov. 2026

Definition of divert

Verb

Surveillance video captured 14 kittens being abandoned and tossed into floodwaters in the parking lot of the Humane Society of Greater Miami, according to shelter leadership.

— CBS News, CBS News, 11 Nov. 2026
Even as the war has temporarily calmed down, United hasn’t entirely abandoned its hard-line objectives.

— Shun Graves, Chicago Tribune, 10 Nov. 2026

Definition of abandon

Verb

This would provide a low-cost public option for those who’ve lost Obamacare subsidies or been thrown off Medicaid.

— Merrill Goozner, Chicago Tribune, 5 Nov. 2026
Sudden changes in potassium levels can throw off cardiac rhythm and make severe rhabdo cases life-threatening, Desai says.

— Tom Gavin, EverydayHealth.com, 4 Nov. 2026

Definition of throw off

Verb

In a September Bangor Daily News op-ed, Jackson called for scrapping the payroll tax cap and increasing benefits, while ruling out privatization and raising the retirement age.

— Tatiana Sataua, Fortune, 7 Nov. 2026
Channel 4 has canceled the series and its spinoff and scrapped the latest season, even though it had already been filmed.

— Alejandra Gularte, Vulture, 6 Nov. 2026

Definition of scrap

Verb

Prior to the Bilottis purchasing the building, John Seidel operated a saloon there until his liquor license was revoked by Blue Island’s City Council in 1918, according to the Blue Island Historical Society.

— Elena Tittel, Chicago Tribune, 2 Nov. 2026
The group had been considering revoking the endorsement of the council member over her views on Israel, which some considered insufficiently tough.

— Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 2 Nov. 2026

Definition of revoke

Verb

At a Cunningham rally in Minnesota earlier this year, a pro-trans counterprotester told her that she should have been aborted.

— Matt Calkins OutKick, FOXNews.com, 6 Nov. 2026
The pilot tried to abort but lost control; the jet crashed through a fence, crossed a five-lane highway, came to rest on an embankment and burst into flames.

— Madeleine Marr, Miami Herald, 3 Nov. 2026