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
Wrigley and Anderson planned a lavish destination wedding in Ireland and had already sent out invitations, but the wedding was called off because Anderson wouldn’t sign a prenup, a former staffer said.
—
Martha Ross, Mercury News, 11 June 2026
Laguna Beach Mayor Mark Orgill issued a statement expressing sympathy for the girl’s family when the search was first called off.
—Jazmin Alvarado, Los Angeles Times, 11 June 2026
In Game 2, Vegas led 2-0 with less than 10 minutes left in regulation, before a flurry of four goals — and one that was called off — with Mark Stone tying it with 81 seconds remaining.
—ABC News, 10 June 2026
Not only was the Plaza33 party called off in coordination with the Secret Service, but a secure area was established around the ten-block radius surrounding the arena, cutting off foot and car traffic in one of the most hectic stretches of midtown Manhattan.
—Dan Adler, Vanity Fair, 9 June 2026
Crews began searching the water for Manuel, but the recovery mission was called off after about 11 hours.
—Joe Brandt, CBS News, 9 June 2026
Number 19, 1951’s fate remains unclear, but the auction itself was called off altogether.
—News Desk, Artforum, 8 June 2026
The auction was ultimately called off after Sotheby’s couldn’t find enough bidders.
—Devorah Lauter, ARTnews.com, 8 June 2026
They got engaged in August 2022, but called off their wedding — which was set to happen in Mexico — in September 2023.
—Julia Moore, PEOPLE, 8 June 2026
Martha Ross, Mercury News, 11 June 2026
Laguna Beach Mayor Mark Orgill issued a statement expressing sympathy for the girl’s family when the search was first called off.
—Jazmin Alvarado, Los Angeles Times, 11 June 2026
In Game 2, Vegas led 2-0 with less than 10 minutes left in regulation, before a flurry of four goals — and one that was called off — with Mark Stone tying it with 81 seconds remaining.
—ABC News, 10 June 2026
Not only was the Plaza33 party called off in coordination with the Secret Service, but a secure area was established around the ten-block radius surrounding the arena, cutting off foot and car traffic in one of the most hectic stretches of midtown Manhattan.
—Dan Adler, Vanity Fair, 9 June 2026
Crews began searching the water for Manuel, but the recovery mission was called off after about 11 hours.
—Joe Brandt, CBS News, 9 June 2026
Number 19, 1951’s fate remains unclear, but the auction itself was called off altogether.
—News Desk, Artforum, 8 June 2026
The auction was ultimately called off after Sotheby’s couldn’t find enough bidders.
—Devorah Lauter, ARTnews.com, 8 June 2026
They got engaged in August 2022, but called off their wedding — which was set to happen in Mexico — in September 2023.
—Julia Moore, PEOPLE, 8 June 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for called off
Verb
-
Keys got distracted by Sikoa and Knight took control.—
Ryan Gaydos,
FOXNews.com,
14 June 2026
-
Swift then got distracted by a fan who wanted to take a selfie, as Jenner, who was at the game with her boyfriend, Timothée Chalamet, turned around and continued speaking to her friends.—
Gina Kalsi,
PEOPLE,
11 June 2026
Verb
-
Country singer Tyler Farr canceled his weekend headlining slot at the Goshen Stampede in Connecticut after a motor vehicle accident on his Tennessee farm left him with a severe concussion.—
Emily St. Martin,
Los Angeles Times,
15 June 2026
-
That was a long time before Leno made the move to YouTube after Emmy winner Garage was canceled by CNBC back in 2023.—
Dominic Patten,
Deadline,
15 June 2026
Verb
-
Most people choose to fly into Aspen airport, but that too can be hit or miss, with flights often being canceled and diverted due to weather conditions.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
12 June 2026
-
The flight was subsequently diverted to Boston Logan International Airport.—
Colson Thayer,
PEOPLE,
11 June 2026
Verb
-
Police found a 15-foot U-Haul truck abandoned on private property with two dogs in the cab.—
Tony Briscoe,
Los Angeles Times,
14 June 2026
-
Mary goes to the store, which appears to be abandoned.—
David Fear,
Rolling Stone,
14 June 2026
Verb
-
An earlier plan to retain part of the school building facade as the redevelopment design was scrapped, but the contractors plan to salvage key historic artifacts such as the tower bell.—
Paula Wethington,
CBS News,
15 June 2026
-
President Cyril Ramaphosa then scrapped licensing requirements for private power generation.—
Tiisetso Motsoeneng,
semafor.com,
15 June 2026
Verb
-
That order was revoked the following year by former President Joe Biden.—
Swapna Venugopal Ramaswamy,
USA Today,
17 June 2026
-
After getting arrested several times for different charges, Chelsea had her probation revoked and was sentenced to prison time in October 2025.—
Anna Myers,
PEOPLE,
15 June 2026
Verb
-
The deal was aborted in May 2023.—
Jason Clinkscales,
Sportico.com,
19 Aug. 2025
-
No dives were ever aborted due to the real-time monitoring system, the report found.—
Solcyré Burga,
Time,
5 Aug. 2025
Verb
-
The extension is expected to generate approximately $925,000 annually and will continue unless repealed by voters.—
Nicole Buss,
Sacbee.com,
12 June 2026
-
The provision was repealed in 1950, when the payroll tax rate finally rose.—
Teresa Ghilarducci,
Forbes.com,
11 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Called off.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/called%20off. Accessed 18 Jun. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
