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
-
Investigators said one of the men distracts the victim while another watches the victim input their PIN on the keypad.—
Matthew Rodriguez,
CBS News,
5 Mar. 2026
-
But wrapping this lesson with an expensive animatronic and a pre-recorded show with a Hollywood insider distracts from that message.—
Robert Niles,
Oc Register,
3 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
If a friend cancels or a team changes venues, respond with alternate options rather than vague guilt.—
Tarot.com,
Hartford Courant,
23 Feb. 2026
-
Advertisement When Eun-jae disappears before the transplant, Seong-sin sends his men to kill her, but cancels the order at the last second.—
Kayti Burt,
Time,
13 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Energy infrastructure under attack threatens global supplies as shipping diverts from critical trade routes, potentially sparking economic shocks worldwide and reshaping energy markets.—
Julia Frankel,
Los Angeles Times,
3 Mar. 2026
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Other recommendations included repealing any crime-free nuisance ordinances around housing, establishing an Office of Immigrant and Refugee Rights and creating a program that diverts young people away from the justice system.—
R. Christian Smith,
Chicago Tribune,
22 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Sometimes the game simply abandons you.—
Mike Bianchi,
The Orlando Sentinel,
7 Mar. 2026
-
Currently, Colorado supports the youngest and the oldest students enrolled in private schools through tuition vouchers or indirectly through tax incentives, but abandons them in the intervening and arguably most important years of schooling.—
Krista Kafer,
Denver Post,
3 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Using a Rug That’s Too Small A too-small rug instantly throws off the entire room.—
Angelika Pokovba,
Martha Stewart,
3 Mar. 2026
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The spin is being closely watched as a statement on the future of cable, which throws off significant cash but has been in rapid decline as viewers migrate to streaming.—
Jill Goldsmith,
Deadline,
5 Jan. 2026
Verb
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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
-
Among other things, the legislation adds work requirements for able-bodied adults starting in January 2027, revokes Medicaid access to some immigrants, including refugees and people seeking asylum, and checks whether someone is eligible for the program every six months instead of every year.—
Kate Wolffe,
Sacbee.com,
29 Jan. 2026
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Trump revokes Canada’s spot on ‘Board of Peace’ 2.—
,
FOXNews.com,
23 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
In the event that an operator aborts an interception, the drone will fly back to base ready to be used again — a potential major cost-saver.—
Alex Holmes,
NBC news,
12 Nov. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Calls off.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/calls%20off. Accessed 9 Mar. 2026.
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