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
After all, London’s massive Wireless Festival, where Ye was scheduled to headline over three nights in July, called off its 2026 edition entirely once the artist’s visa was revoked.
—
Shirley Halperin, Rolling Stone, 14 May 2026
In one instance, an execution was called off after correctional officers had already strapped Glossip to a gurney and begun preparing to give him a lethal injection.
—Emily Mae Czachor, CBS News, 14 May 2026
Faced with innocent bystanders being hurt — even killed — during the chases, some agencies have at times called off pursuits in the interest of safety.
—Andrew J. Campa, Los Angeles Times, 7 May 2026
The latest example comes with Florida State, as Georgia and the Seminoles have mutually called off their home-and-home series, Florida State announced Thursday.
—Connor Riley, AJC.com, 7 May 2026
Also canceling Monday was Dolly Parton, who announced that her Las Vegas residency for later this year was being called off entirely after being postponed earlier.
—Chris Willman, Variety, 4 May 2026
Negotiations continued by phone after Trump called off his envoys’ trip to Pakistan last week, the president said.
—ABC News, 2 May 2026
In early April rescuers called off the effort to save the creature, which had repeatedly become stuck on sandbanks and seemed in bad physical shape.
—K. R. Callaway, Scientific American, 30 Apr. 2026
Fans remained optimistic by gathering in the city and singing along to her top hits and trading their signature friendship bracelets after the performances were called off.
—Gina Kalsi, PEOPLE, 28 Apr. 2026
Shirley Halperin, Rolling Stone, 14 May 2026
In one instance, an execution was called off after correctional officers had already strapped Glossip to a gurney and begun preparing to give him a lethal injection.
—Emily Mae Czachor, CBS News, 14 May 2026
Faced with innocent bystanders being hurt — even killed — during the chases, some agencies have at times called off pursuits in the interest of safety.
—Andrew J. Campa, Los Angeles Times, 7 May 2026
The latest example comes with Florida State, as Georgia and the Seminoles have mutually called off their home-and-home series, Florida State announced Thursday.
—Connor Riley, AJC.com, 7 May 2026
Also canceling Monday was Dolly Parton, who announced that her Las Vegas residency for later this year was being called off entirely after being postponed earlier.
—Chris Willman, Variety, 4 May 2026
Negotiations continued by phone after Trump called off his envoys’ trip to Pakistan last week, the president said.
—ABC News, 2 May 2026
In early April rescuers called off the effort to save the creature, which had repeatedly become stuck on sandbanks and seemed in bad physical shape.
—K. R. Callaway, Scientific American, 30 Apr. 2026
Fans remained optimistic by gathering in the city and singing along to her top hits and trading their signature friendship bracelets after the performances were called off.
—Gina Kalsi, PEOPLE, 28 Apr. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for called off
Verb
-
Rather than acting out on the anger, take a calming moment with some deep breaths, and think about the possibility that your partner was possibly distracted or stressed out.—
Lance Eliot,
Forbes.com,
16 May 2026
-
But during the aufguss ceremony at BASIN Glacial Waters, people smiled and laughed and swayed to the music, and Kyan’s dance-like towel moves distracted me from the discomfort of the heat.—
Jen Murphy,
Condé Nast Traveler,
15 May 2026
Verb
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After the case was announced, Kenya’s president canceled multimillion-dollar airport expansion and energy deals with Adani.—
Michael R. Sisak,
Los Angeles Times,
19 May 2026
-
Developers have canceled at least 20 data centers in the first three months of this year due to local opposition.—
Cooper Katz McKim,
NPR,
18 May 2026
Verb
-
Instead of remitting those taxes to the IRS, prosecutors alleged Kapoor diverted over $2 million from company accounts for his personal benefit.—
Jay Weaver,
Miami Herald,
14 May 2026
-
Vehicles were allowed to use the slow lane and traffic was diverted off at the rest area.—
City News Service,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
13 May 2026
Verb
-
The Ligue 1 clash between FC Nantes and Toulouse FC was abruptly abandoned.—
Alejandro Avila OutKick,
FOXNews.com,
18 May 2026
-
But, as the Shale Revolution gained steam, all of those import facilities were either abandoned or converted to exports and have been joined by dozens of competing terminals.—
David Blackmon,
Forbes.com,
17 May 2026
Verb
-
Maher argues that Lansing largely shielded the newsroom from the brunt of the cuts, though several podcasts were scrapped and some correspondents took buyouts.—
David Folkenflik,
NPR,
18 May 2026
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After community backlash, CBP’s online planning map showed the 30-foot-wall plans were scrapped for surveillance technology, patrols and some vehicle barriers.—
Julie Watson,
Los Angeles Times,
17 May 2026
Verb
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Adding to his list of troubles on Saturday, May 16 was the fact that his driver's license had been revoked due to that prior DWI.—
Sean Joseph OutKick,
FOXNews.com,
19 May 2026
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However, the company retains data for up to 30 days after disconnection before deletion — and critically, financial conversations held in chat logs may persist indefinitely even after bank access is revoked.—
Gabriel Alin Zainescu,
Forbes.com,
18 May 2026
Verb
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This work kept the first moon landing from being aborted, even though the onboard computer was overloaded.—
Manon Bischoff,
Scientific American,
12 May 2026
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After the victim was struck, pilots aborted the plane's takeoff and smoke began filling the cabin.—
Jeanine Santucci,
USA Today,
12 May 2026
Verb
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Some countries, such as Sweden, repealed them to become more financially competitive, while others, like France, found that the superwealthy were moving their assets to other countries.—
Nathaniel Meyersohn,
CNN Money,
15 May 2026
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The directive repealed federal guidance that schools work to avoid racial disparities in school punishments.—
Stacker,
Hartford Courant,
9 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Called off.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/called%20off. Accessed 21 May. 2026.
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