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
Duarte officials called off the city’s Cesar Chavez Day of Service event, scheduled for Saturday, March 21.
—
Ryan Carter, Daily News, 18 Mar. 2026
Yet calling off the face-to-face visit with Chinese President Xi Jinping could have its own major economic consequences as relations between the world's two biggest economies remain fraught over tariffs and other issues.
—Arkansas Online, 17 Mar. 2026
Formula 1 calls off some April races Formula 1 and its governing body FIA canceled Grand Prix races in Bahrain and Saudi Arabia, citing safety concerns.
—Alexandra Banner, CNN Money, 16 Mar. 2026
Inter Miami captain Lionel Messi was disappointed to learn of the cancellation of the Finalissima match between Argentina and Spain, which had been scheduled to be played in Qatar on March 27 but was called off due to the war in the region.
—Michelle Kaufman, Miami Herald, 15 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for call off
Ryan Carter, Daily News, 18 Mar. 2026
Yet calling off the face-to-face visit with Chinese President Xi Jinping could have its own major economic consequences as relations between the world's two biggest economies remain fraught over tariffs and other issues.
—Arkansas Online, 17 Mar. 2026
Formula 1 calls off some April races Formula 1 and its governing body FIA canceled Grand Prix races in Bahrain and Saudi Arabia, citing safety concerns.
—Alexandra Banner, CNN Money, 16 Mar. 2026
Inter Miami captain Lionel Messi was disappointed to learn of the cancellation of the Finalissima match between Argentina and Spain, which had been scheduled to be played in Qatar on March 27 but was called off due to the war in the region.
—Michelle Kaufman, Miami Herald, 15 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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Those increases are often passed on to consumers in the form of higher airfares – another factor Richardson cited as a reason for canceling her trip.—
Nathan Diller,
USA Today,
23 Mar. 2026
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Officers handled more than 50,000 calls in December, January and February; the department had to extend more than 500 shifts and cancelled 1,000 vacation days.—
Ashley Grams,
CBS News,
22 Mar. 2026
Verb
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North Richland Hills fire crews are on scene to deal with the hazmat situation and police are working to divert traffic to clear the backup, police said in a social media post.—
Lillie Davidson,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
25 Mar. 2026
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The tanker, believed to be carrying about 190,000 barrels of Russian diesel, spent weeks drifting in the Atlantic before diverting toward Venezuela, according to tracking data.—
Antonio María Delgado,
Miami Herald,
25 Mar. 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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Thune has repeatedly ruled out scrapping the filibuster rules, which set a 60-vote threshold to advance most legislation.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
27 Mar. 2026
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Running in the background of this Senate back-and-forth is the idea that the House may scrap the Senate deal altogether.—
Molly Parks,
The Washington Examiner,
27 Mar. 2026
Verb
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But in the history of the law, an exemption has never been revoked due to noncompliance, state officials say.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
22 Mar. 2026
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Payments frozen, licenses revoked CMS recently froze payments to 10 tenants inside the building and has demanded records before those payments will resume, according to a hospice administrator who received one of the letters.—
Jason Henry,
Daily News,
22 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 29 Mar. 2026.
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