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
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of calling off
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
Yet calling off the face-to-face visit with Chinese President Xi Jinping could have its own major economic consequences as relations between the world's two biggest economies remain fraught over tariffs and other issues.
—Arkansas Online, 17 Mar. 2026
The news that Glass was calling off his appearance also caught off guard the National Symphony Orchestra.
—Jessica Gelt, Los Angeles Times, 27 Jan. 2026
The university cited budget cuts as the reason for calling off this year's dinner for the first time in its almost 60-year history, according to a letter posted by the Black Student Union.
—Heather Bushman, IndyStar, 16 Jan. 2026
Coffman said that shows officers and their supervisors are judiciously calling off pursuits that become too dangerous.
—Shelly Bradbury, Denver Post, 27 Oct. 2025
Verb
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
Yet calling off the face-to-face visit with Chinese President Xi Jinping could have its own major economic consequences as relations between the world's two biggest economies remain fraught over tariffs and other issues.
—Arkansas Online, 17 Mar. 2026
The news that Glass was calling off his appearance also caught off guard the National Symphony Orchestra.
—Jessica Gelt, Los Angeles Times, 27 Jan. 2026
The university cited budget cuts as the reason for calling off this year's dinner for the first time in its almost 60-year history, according to a letter posted by the Black Student Union.
—Heather Bushman, IndyStar, 16 Jan. 2026
Coffman said that shows officers and their supervisors are judiciously calling off pursuits that become too dangerous.
—Shelly Bradbury, Denver Post, 27 Oct. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for calling off
Noun
-
But since repeal is unlikely to gain favor with California’s political leadership, serious consideration should be given to some sort of temporary suspension.—
Jon Coupal,
Oc Register,
18 Apr. 2026
-
State lawmakers had a mixed response to the federal mining ban repeal for the Boundary Water Canoe Area Wilderness watershed, with some celebrating and others teary-eyed at the Capitol this week.—
Mary Murphy,
Twin Cities,
17 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Also, consider banning visual displays by an attendee of anything other than the participant’s location – visual message displays, inappropriate background material, distracting behavior or inappropriate attire should not be permitted.—
Kelly G. Richardson,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
14 Apr. 2026
-
Administrators found that without their phones, students were using school laptops for distracting activities like watching YouTube or playing games, rather than learning.—
Marco Quiroz-Gutierrez,
Fortune,
10 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
In response, schools are increasingly implementing accommodations such as noise-canceling headphones to help students better regulate sensory input and remain engaged in learning.—
Oc Register,
Oc Register,
15 Apr. 2026
-
The president of the Chicago Principals & Administrators Association also expressed concerns with canceling classes that day.—
Froylan Jimenez,
Chicago Tribune,
15 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
For maximum comfort and quiet, Beats Studio Pro Over-ear Headphones deliver effective noise cancellation that noticeably reduces engine hum and cabin chatter, making movies, music, and podcasts far more enjoyable.—
Samantha Leal,
Travel + Leisure,
18 Apr. 2026
-
The Archdiocese of Miami is making a desperate plea to the federal government, asking it to reconsider the cancellation of an $11 million contract with Catholic Charities that funds a shelter for unaccompanied migrant children in South Florida.—
Abby Dodge,
CBS News,
17 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
The Middle East conflict has required diverting key systems from Asia.—
Editorial Board,
Washington Post,
10 Apr. 2026
-
State officials have relied on the practice of diverting all hazmat trucks off I-70 and over 11,990-foot Loveland Pass.—
Bruce Finley,
Denver Post,
9 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
On the other hand, abandoning public spaces — such as parks — to lawless tent encampments isn’t fair to residents, either.—
The Editorial Board,
Chicago Tribune,
15 Apr. 2026
-
Vice President Vance, Washington's lead negotiator, said a major sticking point that led to the breakdown in Saturday's talks was Iran's refusal to commit to abandoning its nuclear ambitions.—
NPR Staff,
NPR,
15 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
After a rash of abandonments led to infant deaths in the late 1990s, Texas became the first in the nation to pass a state law legalizing abandonment.—
Kelsy Mittauer,
CBS News,
14 Apr. 2026
-
The legislation would also open up $100,000 in grant funding to cover the cost of operation and maintenance of a water system if that town is in the midst of applying for abandonment.—
Sam Tabachnik,
Denver Post,
10 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
But a number of architects and preservation groups provided their opinions of the 90,000 square foot project, generally characterizing it as way out of scale with the Executive Residence, the main part of the White House, while throwing off the symmetry of the grounds.—
Ted Johnson,
Deadline,
2 Apr. 2026
-
Staff say the theft forced them to reshuffle routes, delay pickups and scramble to notify parents – throwing off entire school days.—
Stepheny Price,
FOXNews.com,
28 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Calling off.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/calling%20off. Accessed 21 Apr. 2026.
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