1
as in ending
to bring (as an action or operation) to an immediate end
the majority party cut off debate and forced a vote on the bill
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in separating
to set or keep apart from others
the dog cut off the one sheep that had to be sheared
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of cutting off
Instead, prune these shrubs after the flowers have begun to fall off in late spring to avoid cutting off the buds that will be next year’s blooms.
—
Andy Wilcox, Better Homes & Gardens, 12 Jan. 2026
The Iranian government has increasingly cracked down on demonstrators in recent days, cutting off internet access and phone lines in Tehran in the middle of last week.
—Jared Gans, The Hill, 12 Jan. 2026
The strikes on the Poltava region targeted energy infrastructure facilities, cutting off electricity, water and heating to some communities, authorities said.
—Oleksiy Pshemyskiy, ABC News, 8 Nov. 2025
The floods have also left 11 people missing, inundated more than 116,000 houses and 5,000 hectares of crops, and damaged roads and railways, cutting off traffic and power in several areas, the government’s disaster agency said in a report.
—Reuters, NBC news, 31 Oct. 2025
Per the trailer, the duo decide that her hair must go and end up shaving it off — a drastic change that Stone embraced, cutting off her naturally blond locks for the role.
—Shania Russell, Entertainment Weekly, 19 Oct. 2025
It was recently revealed that Andrew lied about cutting off his relationship with Epstein.
—Meredith Kile, PEOPLE, 17 Oct. 2025
In a recent interview with the BBC World Service, Machado voiced support for the international coalition’s efforts in the Caribbean, framing them as essential to cutting off illicit revenue to the Maduro regime.
—Shane Croucher, MSNBC Newsweek, 10 Oct. 2025
Across town, the Elk River could surround CAMC Women and Children’s Hospital, cutting off all exits.
—CNN Money, 5 Oct. 2025
Andy Wilcox, Better Homes & Gardens, 12 Jan. 2026
The Iranian government has increasingly cracked down on demonstrators in recent days, cutting off internet access and phone lines in Tehran in the middle of last week.
—Jared Gans, The Hill, 12 Jan. 2026
The strikes on the Poltava region targeted energy infrastructure facilities, cutting off electricity, water and heating to some communities, authorities said.
—Oleksiy Pshemyskiy, ABC News, 8 Nov. 2025
The floods have also left 11 people missing, inundated more than 116,000 houses and 5,000 hectares of crops, and damaged roads and railways, cutting off traffic and power in several areas, the government’s disaster agency said in a report.
—Reuters, NBC news, 31 Oct. 2025
Per the trailer, the duo decide that her hair must go and end up shaving it off — a drastic change that Stone embraced, cutting off her naturally blond locks for the role.
—Shania Russell, Entertainment Weekly, 19 Oct. 2025
It was recently revealed that Andrew lied about cutting off his relationship with Epstein.
—Meredith Kile, PEOPLE, 17 Oct. 2025
In a recent interview with the BBC World Service, Machado voiced support for the international coalition’s efforts in the Caribbean, framing them as essential to cutting off illicit revenue to the Maduro regime.
—Shane Croucher, MSNBC Newsweek, 10 Oct. 2025
Across town, the Elk River could surround CAMC Women and Children’s Hospital, cutting off all exits.
—CNN Money, 5 Oct. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for cutting off
Verb
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Burlington prevailed, 57-54, in a tough road environment against Winchester, ending their conference rival’s undefeated season.—
Justin Barrasso,
Boston Herald,
21 Jan. 2026
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The Chargers’ second consecutive 11-win season came without the aid of their two top tackles, Joe Alt and Rashawn Slater, who suffered season-ending injuries that forced Harbaugh and Roman to field a patchwork offensive line for most of the season, but especially in the final weeks.—
Elliott Teaford,
Oc Register,
21 Jan. 2026
Verb
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The backpack itself is crafted from a durable, water-resistant, anti-abrasion material, and includes a wet pocket for separating damp items or dirty laundry.—
Sophie Dodd,
Travel + Leisure,
7 Jan. 2026
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This was such a tedious process that Saint Ignatius College Prep had its own recycling club that mainly involved spending Fridays after school sitting on a classroom floor and separating the recyclables the school had generated throughout the week.—
Adam Harrington,
CBS News,
7 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Instead of stopping to help the victim, the driver continued in an unknown direction.—
Dean Fioresi,
CBS News,
21 Jan. 2026
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The last time Netflix disclosed subscriber figures, at the end of 2024, the streamer counted more than 300 million global subscribers, far ahead of rivals like Disney+, before stopping subscriber disclosures altogether.—
Allie Canal,
NBC news,
20 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Helene caused catastrophic damage across western North Carolina, washing out roads including stretches of Interstate 40 that collapsed into the Pigeon River Gorge, damaging bridges and isolating entire communities.—
Nora O'Neill,
Charlotte Observer,
21 Jan. 2026
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The American Academy of Pediatrics, the National Council on Crime and Delinquency, and the United Nations have all concluded that isolating children constitutes cruel, inhuman, or degrading treatment, and in extreme cases, torture.—
Gladys Carrión,
New York Daily News,
21 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Other California leaders have called on drawing back or ceasing ICE activity in their cities.—
Ryan Mancini,
The Hill,
16 Jan. 2026
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The market’s operators, the Food Literacy Center, announced Wednesday that the farmers market is ceasing operations, citing poor financial viability for the program and low traffic.—
Camila Pedrosa,
Sacbee.com,
15 Jan. 2026
Verb
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That led to banks halting payments for the firm, Microsoft cutting off access to its cloud service products and a ban on exports to Europe.—
Giacomo Tognini,
Forbes.com,
22 Jan. 2026
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This hike was made contingent on State Farm meeting conditions like a cash infusion and halting its non-renewals.—
Pat Maio,
Oc Register,
16 Jan. 2026
Verb
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When the construction project starts next year, the road into the basin will be closed, shutting off access to the area.—
Liz Teitz,
San Antonio Express-News,
5 Jan. 2026
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The plan discussed in committee would also create parameters for providers shutting off water service to residents.—
Arpan Lobo,
Freep.com,
29 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Once enough cars have sped over these fissures, chunks begin breaking off to create those infamous potholes that pop tires and ruin shocks.—
Andrew Paul,
Popular Science,
29 Oct. 2025
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Weiss made a career for herself as an op-ed staff editor at The New York Times before breaking off from the mainstream publication in 2020 and launching the Free Press.—
Antonio Ferme,
Variety,
14 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Cutting off.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/cutting%20off. Accessed 23 Jan. 2026.
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