1
as in distracts
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 cancels
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 calls off
The president calls off plans to send the National Guard to San Francisco.
—
Christian Orozco, NBC news, 24 Oct. 2025
Christian Orozco, NBC news, 24 Oct. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for calls off
Verb
-
Mother’s explosion distracts Blaine and frees Sam.—
Dessi Gomez,
Deadline,
22 May 2026
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In my view, platforming these young men and sensationalizing their behaviors, rather than recognizing those behaviors as signs of psychological distress, distracts from the urgent need to address these serious mental health concerns.—
Jordyn Tovey,
The Conversation,
22 May 2026
Verb
-
While their devices come with a year of Google AI Pro, valued at $240, upgrading to the premium Gemini AI Ultra tier permanently cancels this bundled subscription.—
Paul Monckton,
Forbes.com,
31 May 2026
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Federal Judge Kathleen Williams of Miami District Court accordingly ordered the case dismissed with prejudice, while noting that the move cancels an upcoming deadline related to her efforts to scrutinize the matter.—
Kevin Breuninger,
CNBC,
27 May 2026
Verb
-
Like the lives of the characters who comprise Weinstein’s mosaic, the music is both lovingly intricate and all too easy to ignore when the algorithm diverts our attention elsewhere.—
David Ehrlich,
IndieWire,
8 June 2026
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And focusing on Marilyn and a bathing suit, and calling that exploitation sort of diverts the conversation away from where she actually was exploited.—
Julian Sancton,
HollywoodReporter,
1 June 2026
Verb
-
The brand channels its Ukrainian roots with beautiful embroidery on traditional silhouettes, then easily shifts into contemporary minimalism with an edge that never abandons its cultural and aesthetic roots.—
Kelsey Legg,
ABC News,
27 May 2026
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But when Spurs are trailing, Romero often abandons his defensive position and goes hunting for the ball, seemingly ignoring tactical instructions.—
Elias Burke,
New York Times,
25 May 2026
Verb
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Grass that’s even half a centimeter too long can generate unexpected friction that throws off the timing of passes.—
Hana Kiros,
The Atlantic,
10 June 2026
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Too much sweetness will overpower the bright citrus flavor, and too much tart throws off the creamy balance that makes Key lime pie so iconic.—
Kait Hanson,
Southern Living,
30 May 2026
Verb
-
The current proposal before the board scraps 800 jobs, but community pushback has delayed the decision.—
Natalie La Roche Pietri,
Miami Herald,
30 Apr. 2026
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But then Belly scraps her Parisian plans and pledges her young life to Jeremiah, a rising super senior at Finch majoring in getting high and going to Cabo (which, quite honestly, is more age-appropriate than a wedding).—
Vogue,
Vogue,
11 Sep. 2025
Verb
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If the expansion detracts somehow from the SARA cult fever, the co-owners are OK with that.—
Senior Wine Critic,
San Francisco Chronicle,
15 June 2017
Verb
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The Netherlands is the only EU country that automatically revokes the citizenship of its nationals in the event of gaining dual nationality with a non-EU country.—
Colin Millar,
New York Times,
1 May 2026
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Jamie requests an audience with the families and revokes their letters of banishment.—
Lincee Ray,
Entertainment Weekly,
10 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Calls off.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/calls%20off. Accessed 12 Jun. 2026.
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