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
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Recent Examples of called off
Rodgers and Woodley were engaged in 2021, but called off their wedding plans in 2022 and later broke up.
—
Ryan Gaydos, FOXNews.com, 5 Mar. 2026
Law enforcement called off the chase because of safety concerns, but deputies later found the Chevrolet at a gas station in Georgetown, according to the affidavit.
—Lauren Penington, Denver Post, 4 Mar. 2026
The wedding plans were dashed just six months after Pitt’s proposal, when the couple called off their engagement.
—Bailey Bujnosek, InStyle, 3 Mar. 2026
The vehicle trying to get away fatally hit Erwin De La Cruz, who died seconds after police called off the pursuit Tuesday morning.
—Rick Hurd, Mercury News, 27 Feb. 2026
Bri and Connor, who were one of eight couples to get engaged in The Pods on Love Is Blind Season 10, called off their engagement in Episode 11, two days before their wedding.
—Jason Pham, StyleCaster, 26 Feb. 2026
Cities that have called off elections Over the last few days, Plano and Farmers Branch canceled their May withdrawal elections after DART proposed funding and governance reforms, including returning a portion of sales tax revenue to the cities.
—Perry Majidi, Dallas Morning News, 26 Feb. 2026
Only part of the orchard had been pruned when Sarb Johl called off the job.
—Jake Goodrick, Sacbee.com, 26 Feb. 2026
While the pursuit was called off at one point, officers noticed that the suspect had stopped in the 37000 block of Ash Road.
—Paula Wethington, CBS News, 26 Feb. 2026
Ryan Gaydos, FOXNews.com, 5 Mar. 2026
Law enforcement called off the chase because of safety concerns, but deputies later found the Chevrolet at a gas station in Georgetown, according to the affidavit.
—Lauren Penington, Denver Post, 4 Mar. 2026
The wedding plans were dashed just six months after Pitt’s proposal, when the couple called off their engagement.
—Bailey Bujnosek, InStyle, 3 Mar. 2026
The vehicle trying to get away fatally hit Erwin De La Cruz, who died seconds after police called off the pursuit Tuesday morning.
—Rick Hurd, Mercury News, 27 Feb. 2026
Bri and Connor, who were one of eight couples to get engaged in The Pods on Love Is Blind Season 10, called off their engagement in Episode 11, two days before their wedding.
—Jason Pham, StyleCaster, 26 Feb. 2026
Cities that have called off elections Over the last few days, Plano and Farmers Branch canceled their May withdrawal elections after DART proposed funding and governance reforms, including returning a portion of sales tax revenue to the cities.
—Perry Majidi, Dallas Morning News, 26 Feb. 2026
Only part of the orchard had been pruned when Sarb Johl called off the job.
—Jake Goodrick, Sacbee.com, 26 Feb. 2026
While the pursuit was called off at one point, officers noticed that the suspect had stopped in the 37000 block of Ash Road.
—Paula Wethington, CBS News, 26 Feb. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for called off
Verb
-
In his monologue, Gosling began going through the motions of singing a song about Earth (with a planetary model hanging down as a visual) before getting distracted by pop star Harry Styles in the front row.—
Omar L. Gallaga,
Los Angeles Times,
8 Mar. 2026
-
Trump successfully distracted some MAGA folks from the Epstein case and the possibility that someone who accused him of foul play might be legit.—
Voice of the People,
New York Daily News,
8 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Why was Magic City Monday cancelled?—
Irene Wright,
USA Today,
10 Mar. 2026
-
Sarkisian said Texas hoped to deploy Baker at guard last season, but a preseason injury to fellow tackle Andre Cojoe canceled those plans.—
David Eckert,
Austin American Statesman,
9 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Less than a minute later, an officer assigned to the race returned to the intersection -- and a police motorcycle raced to catch the four runners who were diverted, and send them back onto the course.—
Bill Chappell,
NPR,
5 Mar. 2026
-
While 16 vessels are waiting for clearance or instructions on their next move, 43 already diverted to alternate ports.—
Glenn Taylor,
Sourcing Journal,
5 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Once a gold rush boomtown, Oatman was largely abandoned when the gold miners downed their pickaxes and skipped town—leaving behind a herd of long-eared burros.—
Zoey Goto,
Travel + Leisure,
8 Mar. 2026
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It was then abandoned after the war as there was no financial need to continue it at the time.—
Chris Sims,
IndyStar,
8 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Nigeria and Angola have scrapped costly fuel subsidies, exposing consumers to global swings.—
Yinka Adegoke,
semafor.com,
2 Mar. 2026
-
Greece temporarily suspended asylum claims from migrants arriving via the Libya route for three months, scrapped certain amnesty provisions and introduced mandatory imprisonment for asylum seekers whose claims are rejected.—
LEFTERIS PITARAKIS,
Arkansas Online,
1 Mar. 2026
Verb
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And a federal law enforcement official told Chung’s lawyers her lawful permanent resident status was being revoked.—
Zoe Sottile,
CNN Money,
3 Mar. 2026
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The president has also revoked security clearances and protective details for officials who have criticized him, and the Justice Department obtained federal indictments against former FBI Director James Comey and New York Attorney General Letitia James.—
Jacob Rosen,
CBS News,
3 Mar. 2026
Verb
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That mission, too, was aborted.—
Brittany Wallman
Updated March 4,
Miami Herald,
4 Mar. 2026
-
Once again, diplomacy has been aborted in favor of violence.—
Robin Wright,
New Yorker,
28 Feb. 2026
Verb
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The law was in response to an energy crisis and was meant to last two years, but Congress repealed it before the two years were up.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
8 Mar. 2026
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In recognizing that the City no longer has a City Police or Fire Department and to eliminate any confusion, shall Article IV, Section 10 of the City of Lake Worth Beach Charter (Police and Fire Departments) be repealed?—
South Florida Sun Sentinel,
Sun Sentinel,
3 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Called off.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/called%20off. Accessed 10 Mar. 2026.
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