1
as in distracted
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 canceled
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
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Recent Examples of called off
Amazon called off its purchase of robot vacuum maker iRobot in 2024 after facing regulatory hurdles in Europe and the United States.
—
ABC News, 24 Mar. 2026
Women's Bracket Roundup Some of the first and second round women’s tournament games probably could’ve been called off by halftime.
—Tim Rohan, NBC news, 23 Mar. 2026
Officers attempted to stop the vehicle but called off the pursuit when the driver began racing through city streets and intersections, putting others at risk.
—Stepheny Price, FOXNews.com, 23 Mar. 2026
That match lasted nine minutes and featured no takedowns — with a last-second one from McEnelly called off by the buzzer — but McEnelly made sure that wouldn’t be the case again.
—Twin Cities, 22 Mar. 2026
Meanwhile, advocacy groups in Austin canceled the city’s annual Cesar Chavez March, and similar events in Houston, San Antonio and Corpus Christi have been called off.
—Devyani Chhetri, Dallas Morning News, 19 Mar. 2026
When Atlanta pastor Jamal Harrison Bryant called off his yearlong Target fast, the announcement set off fireworks.
—Jessica Guynn, USA Today, 18 Mar. 2026
Crosby said moments later, his agent told him that Baltimore called off the trade.
—Adam Thompson, CBS News, 18 Mar. 2026
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
ABC News, 24 Mar. 2026
Women's Bracket Roundup Some of the first and second round women’s tournament games probably could’ve been called off by halftime.
—Tim Rohan, NBC news, 23 Mar. 2026
Officers attempted to stop the vehicle but called off the pursuit when the driver began racing through city streets and intersections, putting others at risk.
—Stepheny Price, FOXNews.com, 23 Mar. 2026
That match lasted nine minutes and featured no takedowns — with a last-second one from McEnelly called off by the buzzer — but McEnelly made sure that wouldn’t be the case again.
—Twin Cities, 22 Mar. 2026
Meanwhile, advocacy groups in Austin canceled the city’s annual Cesar Chavez March, and similar events in Houston, San Antonio and Corpus Christi have been called off.
—Devyani Chhetri, Dallas Morning News, 19 Mar. 2026
When Atlanta pastor Jamal Harrison Bryant called off his yearlong Target fast, the announcement set off fireworks.
—Jessica Guynn, USA Today, 18 Mar. 2026
Crosby said moments later, his agent told him that Baltimore called off the trade.
—Adam Thompson, CBS News, 18 Mar. 2026
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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for called 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
-
Symptoms can include being easily distracted, difficulty keeping track of time and impulsivity.—
Betty Lin-Fisher,
USA Today,
27 Mar. 2026
Verb
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The money won’t address recent roof leaks, either, which canceled multiple events this year.—
Nick Sullivan,
Charlotte Observer,
24 Mar. 2026
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The 2020 edition was canceled at short notice due to the COVID-19 pandemic.—
Christopher Arnott,
Hartford Courant,
23 Mar. 2026
Verb
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LaGuardia was temporarily shut down as air traffic was diverted.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
24 Mar. 2026
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The airport was shut down and air traffic was diverted, and on Monday morning operations also were halted at Newark Liberty International Airport in neighboring New Jersey.—
Jake Offenhartz,
Los Angeles Times,
23 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Most carriers, especially in the United States, have abandoned this risk-management practice.—
ANDREA SACHS THE WASHINGTON POST,
Arkansas Online,
29 Mar. 2026
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The secretary has abandoned yet another guardrail by effectively including God in his anti-Iranian war chest.—
U T Readers,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
29 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Why the Rooney Rule is being debated The Rooney Rule is again under scrutiny after Florida Republican attorney general James Uthmeier sent NFL commissioner Roger Goodell a letter earlier this month calling for the policy to be scrapped.—
Mac Engel
March 30,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
30 Mar. 2026
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Playing against a team that is loaded with NBA draft prospects, the Boilermakers scrapped for rebounds, dived for loose balls and did all the little things to make up for the talent gap.—
Nathan Canilao,
Mercury News,
29 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Ghebry Figueroa, 37, of Prospect Heights, was charged on Tuesday with knowingly operating a motor vehicle while revoked and causing great bodily harm to another, and operating a commercial motor vehicle while disqualified.—
Jeramie Bizzle,
CBS News,
24 Mar. 2026
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His probation was revoked in October 2025, court records show.—
Kendrick Calfee,
Kansas City Star,
24 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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Officials said the fire truck was responding to another aircraft operated by United Airlines, which had reported an odor issue and aborted its scheduled takeoff.—
Natalie Neysa Alund,
USA Today,
25 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Should the Jones Act be permanently repealed, fuel prices would fall more steeply.—
Christopher Niezrecki,
The Conversation,
19 Mar. 2026
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The Lemon Grove City Council on Tuesday repealed the portion of an urgency ordinance that granted tenants 120 days to vacate their apartments.—
Hannah Elsmore,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
18 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Called off.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/called%20off. Accessed 31 Mar. 2026.
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