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
The football team’s game last week against George Washington was called off and will not be made up.
—
Parker Gabriel, Denver Post, 21 Sep. 2025
Back in 2023, Aerosmith called off their Peace Out … Farewell Tour after three shows because Tyler fractured his larynx onstage.
—Andy Greene, Rolling Stone, 19 Sep. 2025
After the wedding was called off, Belly flew to Paris to start a new chapter in her life without the Fisher brothers.
—Monica Mercuri, Forbes.com, 16 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
See All Example Sentences for call off
Parker Gabriel, Denver Post, 21 Sep. 2025
Back in 2023, Aerosmith called off their Peace Out … Farewell Tour after three shows because Tyler fractured his larynx onstage.
—Andy Greene, Rolling Stone, 19 Sep. 2025
After the wedding was called off, Belly flew to Paris to start a new chapter in her life without the Fisher brothers.
—Monica Mercuri, Forbes.com, 16 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
See All Example Sentences for call off
Recent Examples of Synonyms for call off
Verb
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Many young people may be too distracted by the likes of MrBeast, who dropped out of college and turned a passion for video creation into a billion-dollar global empire.—
Preston Fore,
Fortune,
18 Oct. 2025
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Facilities like Sankofa and Nova House help those recovering from addiction fill their time with activities that distract them from the urge to use.—
Natalie Eilbert,
jsonline.com,
17 Oct. 2025
Verb
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But our flights had been canceled amid rocket fire and regional escalation, fallout from Israel’s latest offensive in Gaza and its war with Iran.—
Reem Kassis,
The Atlantic,
11 Oct. 2025
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Despite Spapens’ declaration that the Disturbed concert is canceled, tickets for the gig are still listed on Live Nation, as well as still included on the band’s tour website.—
Daniel Kreps,
Rolling Stone,
11 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Financial, production, and human resources have been diverted to the defense sector, causing the civilian economy to struggle with increasing demand.—
Jeffrey Sonnenfeld,
Time,
15 Oct. 2025
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Similarly, about three-fourths of DEA agents, a third of US deputy marshals, and nearly all Homeland Security Investigations agents have been diverted to work on immigration, according to ICE documents detailing assignments through the end of August that were first obtained by the Cato Institute.—
Allison Gordon,
CNN Money,
15 Oct. 2025
Verb
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As well as finding comfort on arrival, Smith is determined that those who move on do not feel abandoned.—
George Caulkin,
New York Times,
16 Oct. 2025
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The novel can get busy—Taylor introduces each of Wyeth’s studio mates in the first chapter, then all but abandons half of them to squeeze in more significant characters—but there’s a warmth in the overcrowding.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
16 Oct. 2025
Verb
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The next step for Horton, who’s recovering from a fractured right rib, will be throwing off a mound on Tuesday at Wrigley Field.—
Andy McCullough,
New York Times,
7 Oct. 2025
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Later, she’s thrown off school grounds for stealing office supplies and sports equipment.—
Kathryn VanArendonk,
Vulture,
6 Oct. 2025
Verb
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And yet, the agency’s human-resources office—which handled ethics issues—has been scrapped, according to Alt CDC, a team of anonymous public-health officials that has been crowdsourcing updates on the firings.—
Tom Bartlett,
The Atlantic,
13 Oct. 2025
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The main channel scrapped music videos back in 2011 and instead pushed those out to its sister channel.—
Marni Rose McFall,
MSNBC Newsweek,
13 Oct. 2025
Verb
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The administration has also revoked visas for more than 20 judges in Brazil and 14 political and business figures in Costa Rica, including former president and Nobel Peace Prize laureate Oscar Arias.—
Michael Dorgan,
FOXNews.com,
14 Oct. 2025
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More than a dozen others have also seen their visas revoked, according to Reuters.—
Ashleigh Fields,
The Hill,
14 Oct. 2025
Verb
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As the youngest of four with an alcoholic father, his family struggled so much financially that his mother wanted to abort him.—
Preston Fore,
Fortune,
8 Oct. 2025
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Apparently, the plan was aborted after several FBI supervisors refused to cooperate, viewing it as inappropriate.—
The Conversation,
The Conversation,
8 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Call off.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/call%20off. Accessed 19 Oct. 2025.
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