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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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 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

The dismissal comes just months after the Connecticut legislature voted to pass legislation clarifying its repeal of the religious exemption — a move that drew heated criticism from Republicans.

— Katy Golvala, Hartford Courant, 16 Sep. 2026
The broader repeal, first proposed by the EPA last year, argues the federal government does not have authority under the Clean Air Act to regulate greenhouse gas emissions from power plants on the basis of climate change.

— Spencer Kimball, CNBC, 14 Sep. 2026

Definition of repeal

Verb

Some earlier assassins expected it of themselves, canceling plots that would have killed bystanders.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 18 Sep. 2026
While Sheik sought treatment for alcohol addiction after canceling a tour in 2011, his stage and studio career never slowed.

— Chuck Schilken, Los Angeles Times, 18 Sep. 2026

Definition of canceling

Noun

Trump repeatedly called for the cancellation of Colbert‘s late-night show and of the host’s fellow nominee Jimmy Kimmel, calling them untalented and low-rated.

— Greg Braxton, Los Angeles Times, 15 Sep. 2026
In his statement on social media, Macklemore said that last week, Kraft called Sheeran with directions to either drop him or face venue cancelations.

— Matt Moret, New York Times, 15 Sep. 2026

Definition of cancellation

Verb

The incursions forced Chișinău International Airport to temporarily suspend arrivals and departures Tuesday, sending incoming flights into holding patterns or diverting them to neighboring countries, according to tracking data.

— Emma Bussey, FOXNews.com, 10 Sep. 2026
Clients are also experimenting with diverting excess data center heat to warm swimming pools in winter.

— Andrew Nusca, Fortune, 10 Sep. 2026

Definition of diverting

Noun

Many have described him as deeply insecure, haunted by fears of abandonment that trace back to the earliest chapters of his life.

— Nancy Dillon, Rolling Stone, 21 Sep. 2026
This summer, when wildfires erupted in Spain, France, and other parts of Europe, experts cited land abandonment as a factor.

— Ingfei Chen, New Yorker, 18 Sep. 2026

Definition of abandonment

Verb

Cousins was in rhythm but, throwing off his back foot, didn’t give the throw nearly enough juice.

— Sam Warren, New York Times, 11 Sep. 2026
Jefferson got the ball to Hale for a touchdown, rolling left and throwing off his back foot to find Jefferson in the back of the end zone.

— Eric Sondheimer, Los Angeles Times, 29 Aug. 2026