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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Powell this week oversees his third-to-last meeting as chair, with his term ending on May 15.—
Bryan Mena,
CNN Money,
28 Jan. 2026
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With the deadline approaching, a stake sale may be considered in the fiscal year ending March 2027.—
Ashutosh Joshi,
Bloomberg,
28 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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The controversy began at the end of a planning and zoning meeting last Thursday, when the council member raised concerns about Border Patrol agents stopping people in the community.—
Anna McAllister,
CBS News,
28 Jan. 2026
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States such as Minnesota should also look to civil law as a basis for stopping baleful and unlawful ICE tactics.—
Aziz Huq,
The Atlantic,
27 Jan. 2026
Verb
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If Vegas represented a prosocial form of betting, every technological trend seems hellbent on moving us in the opposite direction, largely by offering ever more warped, addictive, and isolating versions of the casino for our phones.—
Jasper Craven,
Harpers Magazine,
27 Jan. 2026
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Find your people Motherhood can be isolating.—
Beth Ann Mayer,
Parents,
27 Jan. 2026
Verb
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To cope with the situation, Perez would often tighten his budget by ceasing to go out with friends and cutting some corners to save extra money.—
Alvaro Acosta,
Miami Herald,
27 Jan. 2026
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TelaForce is ceasing operations due to certain contracts with a government agency ending, the letter says.—
Chris Higgins,
Kansas City Star,
21 Jan. 2026
Verb
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In another scathing ruling from Chicago, US District Court Judge April Perry – a Biden nominee – granted a temporary restraining order halting troop deployment into Illinois for two weeks in October.—
Elizabeth Wolfe,
CNN Money,
29 Jan. 2026
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The National Council for Adoption estimates the latest restrictions are halting the cases of more than 1,000 children in over 40 countries.—
Kathryn Watson,
CBS News,
29 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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In that unlikely scenario, there would be a risk of debris breaking off the asteroid and hitting Earth.—
Chris Young,
Interesting Engineering,
28 Jan. 2026
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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
Cite this Entry
“Cutting off.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/cutting%20off. Accessed 1 Feb. 2026.
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