CALLED OFF Synonyms: 63 Similar and Opposite Words

called off

verb

past tense of call off

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

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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

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 called off As the controversy mounted, the museum called off the exhibition. — Alex Greenberger, ARTnews.com, 5 Nov. 2026 The governing body also called off the official presentation for Spain’s Under-21 international against Japan as a mark of respect and solidarity towards De Miguel’s family, teammates and Tenerife supporters. — Reuters, NBC news, 3 Nov. 2026 Swift resumed observations once the rescue attempt was called off, discovering even more gamma-ray bursts and other ultrahigh-energy events. — CBS News, 2 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 The season 11 couple called off their engagement after a series of heated confrontations, culminating in an explosive argument at a cast gathering in Boston. — Deirdre Durkan, PEOPLE, 28 Oct. 2026 Trump has also called off plans to renew attacks on Iran before. — Miranda Jeyaretnam, Time, 22 Oct. 2026 When plans were made for a visit to Japan by President Eisenhower in 1960—it was eventually called off—there weren’t enough policemen to guard his route into Tokyo, so the yakuza were mobilized to help. — Ian Buruma, New Yorker, 12 Oct. 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for called off

Verb

And, on the eve of the election, El-Sayed’s primary opponent, Haley Stevens, distracted from the conversation with her left-field endorsement of Rogers that may have ejected her from the Democratic party and possibly a political career.

— Mikey O'Connell, HollywoodReporter, 4 Nov. 2026
The first officer used her Taser twice on the dogs, which distracted them but did not stop them from attacking, police say.

— Karma Sabbah, CBS News, 2 Nov. 2026

Definition of distracted

Verb

Pope Leo personally pushed ahead with the visit In the aftermath of his surgery, many speculated that the trip would be canceled.

— Christopher Lamb, CNN Money, 6 Nov. 2026
The effort comes as the island faces chronic outages and water shortages, while federal officials have canceled major solar programs intended to help low-income residents.

— Dánica Coto, Los Angeles Times, 6 Nov. 2026

Definition of canceled

Verb

State police said traffic was diverted at Exit 46 while investigators processed the scene.

— Staff Report, Hartford Courant, 31 Oct. 2026
Several speakers noted that while fish species are declining dramatically, about 80% of the water that’s diverted and pumped in California is used for agriculture, and vast quantities of almonds and pistachios are being shipped overseas.

— Ian James, Los Angeles Times, 30 Oct. 2026

Definition of diverted

Verb

The bases seemed all but abandoned, with word among residents that American service members, a common sight in Bahrain, have all but disappeared.

— Nabih Bulos, Los Angeles Times, 4 Nov. 2026
Trump’s approval among young men, a key voting bloc that ensured his return to power, has plummeted, and popular podcasters who cater to a younger audience have abandoned him.

— Aidan McLaughlin, Vanity Fair, 4 Nov. 2026

Definition of abandoned

Verb

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
Spears recorded the song for her third album, but it was left unfinished and ultimately scrapped from the record to prioritize other songs.

— Larisha Paul, Rolling Stone, 6 Nov. 2026

Definition of scrapped

Verb

Ritterspach has also agreed to permanently stop any Animal Welfare Act-regulated activity, and his license has been permanently revoked.

— CBS News, CBS News, 4 Nov. 2026
His boxing license revoked and his championship title stripped, Ali entered a period of exile.

— Katie Schultz, Architectural Digest, 3 Nov. 2026

Definition of revoked

Verb

Anthem, the studio’s attempt at a live-service open-world shooter, turned out more ambitious than engaging for most and was recently shuttered for good well after plans for a sweeping overhaul were aborted.

— Kyle Orland, ArsTechnica, 21 Oct. 2026
Eight people were on board when the pilot aborted the takeoff and went off the runway, causing the plane to skid into the fence.

— Leigh Blickley, Entertainment Weekly, 19 Oct. 2026

Definition of aborted

Verb

However, some of the ballot language in Measure G unintentionally repealed Measure J — an administrative error that was discovered in June 2025.

— Itzel Luna, Los Angeles Times, 4 Nov. 2026
The vaccine requirements are an agency rule, not in state law, and can be repealed by the agency itself without legislative approval.

— News Service Of Florida, Sun Sentinel, 2 Nov. 2026