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
Relevance
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
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
Jake Paul's fight against WBA lightweight champion Gervonta Davis was called off after the latter once again found himself in legal trouble.
—
Ryan Morik, FOXNews.com, 4 Nov. 2025
Except the goal was called off, the game went into a shootout and Lucas Raymond scored in the shootout period to win the game 4-3 for Detroit.
—Christian Romo, Freep.com, 31 Oct. 2025
Right before the wedding, however, Megan called off the engagement due to their lifestyles and priorities being too different.
—Allison Degrushe, Entertainment Weekly, 30 Oct. 2025
Following that incident, Dunne called off the relationship.
—Rebecca Aizin, PEOPLE, 30 Oct. 2025
On Thursday, the president called off trade talks with Canada after the province of Ontario aired an anti-tariff ad.
—Bryan Mena, CNN Money, 25 Oct. 2025
After a 2025 edition was called off six months to go , the Sick New World festival will be back in 2026 with two huge one-day concerts in Las Vegas and Fort Worth, Texas, with System of a Down headlining both events.
—Gil Kaufman, Billboard, 22 Oct. 2025
The clash of views and the depth of the politics involved was further underlined by Ayoub Khan, a member of parliament for the Birmingham Perry Barr constituency, signing a petition calling for the game to be called off, staged in a neutral country or held without an away crowd.
—Phil Hay, New York Times, 17 Oct. 2025
The show originally aired annually from 1995 to 2018, but the 2019 show was called off due to poor ratings and public scrutiny towards former organizer, Edward Razek, over comments about transgender and plus-sized models.
—Jon Blistein, Rolling Stone, 16 Oct. 2025
Ryan Morik, FOXNews.com, 4 Nov. 2025
Except the goal was called off, the game went into a shootout and Lucas Raymond scored in the shootout period to win the game 4-3 for Detroit.
—Christian Romo, Freep.com, 31 Oct. 2025
Right before the wedding, however, Megan called off the engagement due to their lifestyles and priorities being too different.
—Allison Degrushe, Entertainment Weekly, 30 Oct. 2025
Following that incident, Dunne called off the relationship.
—Rebecca Aizin, PEOPLE, 30 Oct. 2025
On Thursday, the president called off trade talks with Canada after the province of Ontario aired an anti-tariff ad.
—Bryan Mena, CNN Money, 25 Oct. 2025
After a 2025 edition was called off six months to go , the Sick New World festival will be back in 2026 with two huge one-day concerts in Las Vegas and Fort Worth, Texas, with System of a Down headlining both events.
—Gil Kaufman, Billboard, 22 Oct. 2025
The clash of views and the depth of the politics involved was further underlined by Ayoub Khan, a member of parliament for the Birmingham Perry Barr constituency, signing a petition calling for the game to be called off, staged in a neutral country or held without an away crowd.
—Phil Hay, New York Times, 17 Oct. 2025
The show originally aired annually from 1995 to 2018, but the 2019 show was called off due to poor ratings and public scrutiny towards former organizer, Edward Razek, over comments about transgender and plus-sized models.
—Jon Blistein, Rolling Stone, 16 Oct. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for called off
Verb
-
Over the years, California Highway Patrol officers have told Honk their priority is saving lives — so intoxicated and distracted drivers, speeders and those not wearing seat belts get top billing.—
Jim Radcliffe,
Oc Register,
7 Nov. 2025
-
Moreover, 14% of more than 1,000 respondents said at least one accident had occurred at their workplace because an employee was distracted by a smartphone—often resulting in injury or damage to property.—
Eleanor Pringle,
Fortune,
6 Nov. 2025
Verb
-
Years later, the series was set for a revival, but it was abruptly canceled due to creative differences.—
Maggie Fremont,
Entertainment Weekly,
9 Nov. 2025
-
The number of flights canceled at Cincinnati's major airport has more than doubled on Sunday amid flight reductions at airports nationwide due to the government shutdown.—
David Ferrara,
Cincinnati Enquirer,
9 Nov. 2025
Verb
-
The pilots diverted the flight to Buffalo to attempt an emergency landing.—
Lauryn Overhultz,
FOXNews.com,
7 Nov. 2025
-
The $155,000 figure was within a range covered by insurance, and FBI investigators found that no individual donor funds were diverted before they were deposited into the Bright Futures Fund, Johnston wrote.—
Nathan Pilling,
Kansas City Star,
6 Nov. 2025
Verb
-
As a result, the team abandoned the practice for the next two and a half seasons.—
Elizabeth Hutchison Hicklin,
Southern Living,
8 Nov. 2025
-
Wayne’s car was seen abandoned in Aurora’s Hoffman Heights neighborhood the next day, on June 15, 1986, but police did not link the car to Wayne until it was towed away two weeks later, an Aurora cold case investigator wrote in the affidavit.—
Katie Langford,
Denver Post,
8 Nov. 2025
Verb
-
Trump scrapped a program dedicated to funding flood mitigation in low-income communities.—
Vann R. Newkirk II,
The Atlantic,
10 Nov. 2025
-
Unfortunately, the project was scrapped by Disney and never went into production.—
James Brizuela,
MSNBC Newsweek,
10 Nov. 2025
Verb
-
Prosecutors have since petitioned to have his probation revoked.—
Liam Quinn,
PEOPLE,
5 Nov. 2025
-
The administration has also detained and revoked the visas of several activists supportive of Palestinian causes.—
Billal Rahman,
MSNBC Newsweek,
4 Nov. 2025
Verb
-
Another approach on two ladders was also aborted, and a drone was sent up in their stead.—
Ashley J. DiMella,
FOXNews.com,
4 Nov. 2025
-
Apparently, the plan was aborted after several FBI supervisors refused to cooperate, viewing it as inappropriate.—
The Conversation,
The Conversation,
8 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
When Massachusetts voters repealed rent control in 1994, property values in Cambridge rose 45%—not only for the deregulated apartments, but for entire neighborhoods.—
Sydney Lake,
Fortune,
5 Nov. 2025
-
Democrats also tried to reinstate the Fairness Doctrine, a Federal Communications Commission policy that had required broadcasters to cover various perspectives on controversial political issues before it was repealed earlier that year.—
Chantelle Lee,
Time,
5 Nov. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Called off.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/called%20off. Accessed 22 Nov. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share