CALLING OFF Synonyms: 88 Similar and Opposite Words

calling off 1 of 2

noun

as in repeal

the act of putting an end to something planned or previously agreed to the calling off of the senior prom is not going to go over well

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calling off

2 of 2

verb

present participle of call off

as in distracting

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

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in canceling

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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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 calling off

Verb

For the United States, that means encouraging reform, including human rights protections, and calling off the bargain that has allowed autocratic allies to get away with grievous repression. — Marc Lynch, Foreign Affairs, 18 Aug. 2026 Citing unnamed sources, the Post reported that the shortfall of key weapons contributed to Trump calling off major strikes on Iran and making another push for diplomacy. — Miranda Jeyaretnam, Time, 7 Aug. 2026 After previously calling off an engagement, BelléJolie Force is a singer who is searching for her Prince Charming. — Kelly Allen, PEOPLE, 13 July 2026 The officers pursued the vehicle, a Volkswagen Jetta, for roughly a minute before calling off the chase because of the suspect’s speed and erratic driving, police said. — Lauren Penington, Denver Post, 7 July 2026 In her interviews, Kardashian recalls her experience which included taking care of him after his overdose and even calling off their divorce proceedings amid his recovery. — Lexy Perez, HollywoodReporter, 15 Apr. 2026 The recent release of video from the incident led to ABC calling off Paul’s season of The Bachelorette right before it was set to premiere. — Jon Blistein, Rolling Stone, 7 Apr. 2026 In a statement, DHS told WJZ that nearly 500 TSA officers have quit during the shutdown, and thousands more are calling off work. — Tara Lynch, CBS News, 27 Mar. 2026 An increasing number of TSA officers have been calling off work, leading to staffing shortages inside airport security and lengthy screening lines at some airports. — Gloria Pazmino, CNN Money, 23 Mar. 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for calling off

Noun

Officials argue the repeal is necessary for responsible forest management and to reduce wildfire risk.

— Sarah Henry, AZCentral.com, 19 Aug. 2026
For three days businesses, schools, public transit, and even the city’s airport ceased operations as protesters demanded the repeal of Law 2029, lower water rates, and the return of the city’s water system to public control.

— Encyclopedia Britannica, Encyclopedia Britannica, 19 Aug. 2026

Definition of repeal

Verb

Practicing meditation, visualization, or deep breathing may help in distracting from the discomfort of a full bladder for a short time.

— Amber J. Tresca, Verywell Health, 14 Aug. 2026
At least 10 million people use the Opal app, whose premium tier costs $100 annually, to lock themselves out of distracting apps, while others pay $59 for the Brick to do the same.

— Nancy Walecki, The Atlantic, 13 Aug. 2026

Definition of distracting

Verb

Hurricane Lala disrupted travel between Los Angeles and Hawaii on Saturday, canceling flights from LAX to destinations across the islands as the Category 1 storm approached the Big Island.

— Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 16 Aug. 2026
Saving Parini the bother of canceling the interview, Borges gamely offers to join him on a road trip to Orkney.

— Damon Wise, Deadline, 16 Aug. 2026

Definition of canceling

Noun

Depending on the airline and circumstances, carriers may reimburse reasonable travel expenses due to controllable cancellations and delays, subject to review.

— Eve Chen, USA Today, 18 Aug. 2026
Rolling Stone had subsequently reported that Beard’s health was the cause of the cancellation.

— Ethan Millman, HollywoodReporter, 18 Aug. 2026

Definition of cancellation

Verb

Nessel says the party is abandoning civil discourse—making the August gathering a powder keg.

— Staff, FOXNews.com, 13 Aug. 2026
Not abandoning something tedious that was never wanted in the first place, but stepping away from work that was chosen and mattered, at the first small snag.

— Mark Travers, Forbes.com, 12 Aug. 2026

Definition of abandoning

Verb

And climate shifts are yet another threat to milkweed’s viability in particular locales, throwing off the distances and timing that are so crucial to each butterfly’s travels.

— Vann R. Newkirk II, The Atlantic, 28 July 2026
But the storm, which increased to category 3 in strength on Sunday, is throwing off energy that will generate surf in Southern California.

— Gary Robbins, San Diego Union-Tribune, 26 July 2026