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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of called off
The two had reached a deal four years ago but it was called off after a surprise all-cash offer from JetBlue Airways.
—
Leslie Josephs, CNBC, 22 Jan. 2026
Amtrak also announced several train cancellations in the Midwest and Great Plains, but no northeastern routes were had been called off prior to Friday.
—Joseph Wilkinson, New York Daily News, 22 Jan. 2026
In 1994, when owners called off the World Series rather than surrender their pursuit of a salary cap, the following season started a month late, and even then the owners did not get a cap.
—Bill Shaikin, Los Angeles Times, 21 Jan. 2026
The pair planned to get married in 1991 before Roberts called off the wedding days before the event.
—Stephanie Kaloi, PEOPLE, 14 Jan. 2026
Initial attempts to conduct a drone search were thwarted by the windstorm, and the ground operation was called off before nightfall, the agency said.
—Claire Wang, Oc Register, 13 Jan. 2026
The season was called off after only two days with 304 bears killed.
—Zoey Thomas, Miami Herald, 13 Jan. 2026
In October 2024, sources confirmed to People that the couple had called off their engagement.
—Bailey Bujnosek, InStyle, 13 Jan. 2026
Nurses at three major Northwell Health hospitals on New York's Long Island reached a tentative contract agreement on Thursday and called off a strike, according to the NYSNA.
—Bill Hutchinson, ABC News, 11 Jan. 2026
Leslie Josephs, CNBC, 22 Jan. 2026
Amtrak also announced several train cancellations in the Midwest and Great Plains, but no northeastern routes were had been called off prior to Friday.
—Joseph Wilkinson, New York Daily News, 22 Jan. 2026
In 1994, when owners called off the World Series rather than surrender their pursuit of a salary cap, the following season started a month late, and even then the owners did not get a cap.
—Bill Shaikin, Los Angeles Times, 21 Jan. 2026
The pair planned to get married in 1991 before Roberts called off the wedding days before the event.
—Stephanie Kaloi, PEOPLE, 14 Jan. 2026
Initial attempts to conduct a drone search were thwarted by the windstorm, and the ground operation was called off before nightfall, the agency said.
—Claire Wang, Oc Register, 13 Jan. 2026
The season was called off after only two days with 304 bears killed.
—Zoey Thomas, Miami Herald, 13 Jan. 2026
In October 2024, sources confirmed to People that the couple had called off their engagement.
—Bailey Bujnosek, InStyle, 13 Jan. 2026
Nurses at three major Northwell Health hospitals on New York's Long Island reached a tentative contract agreement on Thursday and called off a strike, according to the NYSNA.
—Bill Hutchinson, ABC News, 11 Jan. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for called off
Verb
-
This is a president who is distracted by things that don't matter to the American people at a moment where the American people are in crisis.—
NBC news,
NBC news,
11 Jan. 2026
-
Even the most emotionally invested of us can get distracted.—
Stuart Berman,
Pitchfork,
9 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Residential garbage and recycling pickup scheduled for today has been canceled, according to the news release.—
Anne Li,
Arkansas Online,
27 Jan. 2026
-
Thus, the Special Plan Commission Meeting scheduled for February 2, 2026, has been canceled.—
Jeramie Bizzle,
CBS News,
27 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
The captain then declared an emergency and diverted back to Bradley Airport.—
Colson Thayer,
PEOPLE,
22 Jan. 2026
-
Authorities later closed a lane on eastbound I-80 and diverted traffic off the freeway at the Willow Avenue exit in Hercules.—
Rick Hurd,
Mercury News,
22 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Throughout the history of gold panning, workers had never been abandoned in remote or forgotten areas of the jungle.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
12 Jan. 2026
-
The buildings were abandoned as the public school system grew more welcoming of Black students, and many of the sites have been lost, historians say.—
Mark Price,
Charlotte Observer,
12 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Republicans appealed a ruling that scrapped the last remaining New York City congressional district held by a Republican.—
Brady Knox,
The Washington Examiner,
27 Jan. 2026
-
President Jimmy Carter attempted to impose credit controls, but that effort was quickly scrapped after doing more harm than good.—
Matthew Kandrach,
Boston Herald,
27 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
His license was revoked for five years.—
Megan De Mar,
CBS News,
28 Jan. 2026
-
Then in June 2024, that larger limit was revoked for all airports and the 100ml rule reintroduced, to the fury of many airports and travelers.—
Duncan Madden,
Forbes.com,
27 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Meta’s contribution to the space, however aborted, will still prove invaluable in the long term — and the metaverse will continue to evolve and grow.—
Cortney Harding,
Forbes.com,
21 Jan. 2026
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The showing had to be aborted after a few shocking scenes of bandmates bickering and Fat Mike blasting lines of cocaine.—
Jim Ruland,
Los Angeles Times,
20 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
The measure raised modest revenues, which fell as rich people moved out of the country to avoid paying, and the measure was repealed by the government of President Emmanuel Macron in 2017.—
Kevin Rector,
Los Angeles Times,
26 Jan. 2026
-
But the current state school aid budget repealed that option.—
Terell Bailey,
CBS News,
23 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Called off.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/called%20off. Accessed 29 Jan. 2026.
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