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
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of called off
Organizers had called off the GoldenSky Festival due to a crowded country music festival market nationally, and difficulty securing headlining acts at a cost that would allow for affordable ticket prices.
—
Sacbee.com, 3 June 2026
But not enough alders were in the City Council chamber to hold the meeting, so it was called off.
—Asal Rezaei, CBS News, 3 June 2026
In May 2021, Manchester United fans protested the club ownership’s prioritization of financial and corporate interests, causing a match against Liverpool to be called off.
—Gitanjali Roy, Encyclopedia Britannica, 1 June 2026
The cancellation sparked emotional scenes throughout Vienna as thousands of fans gathered in public spaces to sing Swift's songs together after the concerts were called off.
—Bryan West, USA Today, 28 May 2026
Now, her engagement to the most influential eligible Commander in Gilead has been called off, marring her reputation.
—Amanda Whiting, Vulture, 27 May 2026
There were five holds in all before SpaceX called off the launch attempt.
—Stephen Clark, ArsTechnica, 22 May 2026
Discord also appears to be growing among House Republicans, who called off a vote last night on a resolution limiting the president's war powers.
—Brittney Melton, NPR, 22 May 2026
The graduation was called off due to the fight, according to WTVG.
—Kimberlee Speakman, PEOPLE, 22 May 2026
Sacbee.com, 3 June 2026
But not enough alders were in the City Council chamber to hold the meeting, so it was called off.
—Asal Rezaei, CBS News, 3 June 2026
In May 2021, Manchester United fans protested the club ownership’s prioritization of financial and corporate interests, causing a match against Liverpool to be called off.
—Gitanjali Roy, Encyclopedia Britannica, 1 June 2026
The cancellation sparked emotional scenes throughout Vienna as thousands of fans gathered in public spaces to sing Swift's songs together after the concerts were called off.
—Bryan West, USA Today, 28 May 2026
Now, her engagement to the most influential eligible Commander in Gilead has been called off, marring her reputation.
—Amanda Whiting, Vulture, 27 May 2026
There were five holds in all before SpaceX called off the launch attempt.
—Stephen Clark, ArsTechnica, 22 May 2026
Discord also appears to be growing among House Republicans, who called off a vote last night on a resolution limiting the president's war powers.
—Brittney Melton, NPR, 22 May 2026
The graduation was called off due to the fight, according to WTVG.
—Kimberlee Speakman, PEOPLE, 22 May 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for called off
Verb
-
With Cargill distracted, Ripley went on the offensive.—
Ryan Gaydos,
FOXNews.com,
31 May 2026
-
Before his interview with IndieWire can begin, Charles Melton becomes distracted by a wayward eyelash.—
Marcus Jones,
IndieWire,
31 May 2026
Verb
-
The show was cancelled after that season, when Barr posted a tweet comparing Barack Obama's former adviser Valerie Jarrett to an ape.—
Virginia Chamlee,
PEOPLE,
1 June 2026
-
The United Kingdom’s Home Office canceled travel permits belonging to Piker, 34, and Turkish-American broadcaster and attorney Cenk Uygur.—
Sana Noor Haq,
CNN Money,
1 June 2026
Verb
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This drove up payments to charter schools by more than 3,000% from 1999 to 2014 and diverted funds away from district schools that still needed to maintain fixed costs, such as utilities, staffing and building improvements.—
Julia McWilliams,
The Conversation,
4 June 2026
-
Jurors concluded that LaPierre and others diverted millions of dollars from the organization for personal travel and expenses, as well as no-show contracts used to buy people’s silence.—
Chloe Atkins,
NBC news,
4 June 2026
Verb
-
Rockets also ceased to be viewed as enormously expensive expendable vehicles destined either to smash into the ocean or remain abandoned in orbit forever.—
David Szondy
May 31,
New Atlas,
31 May 2026
-
Sora 2, OpenAI’s problematic generative video platform, was abandoned last December, reassuring many copyright holders.—
Dade Hayes,
Deadline,
31 May 2026
Verb
-
Bloomberg cited a senior administration official also saying it would be scrapped.—
Joey Garrison,
USA Today,
1 June 2026
-
In a bid to stimulate the market and jumpstart flagging demand, Dubai has scrapped the AED 750,000 ($204,184) minimum property value previously required for individual buyers to be eligible for a two-year residency visa.—
Melissa Hancock,
Fortune,
1 June 2026
Verb
-
The Athletic’s press pass for that evening’s preseason game was revoked.—
Sean Gentille,
New York Times,
2 June 2026
-
Volgaev's citizenship was revoked on March 23.—
Jaclyn Diaz,
NPR,
2 June 2026
Verb
-
After Drew pulled out, the plan was aborted.—
Jacob Whitehead,
New York Times,
4 June 2026
-
This work kept the first moon landing from being aborted, even though the onboard computer was overloaded.—
Manon Bischoff,
Scientific American,
12 May 2026
Verb
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Kansas City Mayor Quinton Lucas is promising a replacement ordinance for the conversion therapy ban the City Council recently repealed.—
Dylan Lysen,
Kansas City Star,
1 June 2026
-
Late last year, New Hampshire repealed its PDAB, which had existed since 2020.—
Chicago Tribune,
Chicago Tribune,
28 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Called off.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/called%20off. Accessed 7 Jun. 2026.
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