leaving off 1 of 2

adjective

as in winding up

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leaving off

2 of 2

verb

present participle of leave off
1
as in ending
to bring (as an action or operation) to an immediate end we usually leave off working as soon as the bell rings

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in stopping
to come to an end the snow should leave off around midnight

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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 leaving off
Verb
The episode isn’t quite done, despite leaving off on an explosive note. — Siddhant Adlakha, Vulture, 17 Aug. 2026 This does have the effect of, at times, including star NHL players while leaving off players who are still in the minors and have a chance to make the league. — Corey Pronman, New York Times, 25 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for leaving off
  1. dying
  2. ending
  3. stopping
  4. passing
  5. ceasing
  6. expiring
  7. finishing
  8. halting
Adjective
  • What’s the vibe for you, post-dying?
    — Sean T. Collins, Vulture, 22 June 2026
  • Garden centers aren't giving a refund for a dying or dead plant but rather a discount on a new purchase.
    — Lauren David, Southern Living, 17 Dec. 2025
Definition of dying
Verb
  • Michael Busch followed with a strikeout on a pitch-clock violation for calling time a second time in the at-bat, then Alex Bregman hit into an inning-ending double play on the next pitch.
    — Meghan Montemurro, Chicago Tribune, 6 Sep. 2026
  • Cheap cliffhanger ending aside, the rest of the episode proves an emotionally satisfying kickoff for the final stretch of the season, laying Joe’s only shot at redemption, both mortally and spiritually, at the feet of her team.
    — Andy Andersen, Vulture, 6 Sep. 2026
Definition of ending
Verb
  • Republicans edge out Democrats on keeping people safe, crime prevention, and reducing and stopping violent crime.
    — Burgess Everett, semafor.com, 10 Sep. 2026
  • With Doak’s game clock defunct, ESPN peeled off one of its scorebug operators to shadow the officials, starting and stopping the on-screen time by hand, second by second.
    — Ira Gorawara, New York Times, 9 Sep. 2026
Definition of stopping
Adjective
  • Even if Goedert is healthy, a complementary tight end who can help in the passing game would be a sensible upgrade.
    — Zach Berman, New York Times, 7 Sep. 2026
  • If Taron Johnson and the secondary hold up against complex passing schemes, the unit should take a noticeable leap in efficiency.
    — David Troy OutKick, FOXNews.com, 6 Sep. 2026
Definition of passing
Verb
  • The country was defunding, de-staffing, and ceasing all negotiations with the organization.
    — Eli Cahan, Rolling Stone, 21 Aug. 2026
  • The gallery has not specified a timeline for ceasing operations there.
    — News Desk, Artforum, 3 Aug. 2026
Definition of ceasing
Verb
  • Renegotiation allowed Woodland to focus on drawbacks of the expiring contract, but unclear performance metrics during negotiations complicated the process.
    — Daniel Lempres, Sacbee.com, 2 Sep. 2026
  • Democrats withheld their votes first to pressure Republicans to extend expiring subsidies for health insurance premiums, prompting a 43-day shutdown that ended in November.
    — Sam Gringlas, NPR, 1 Sep. 2026
Definition of expiring
Adjective
  • This summer jerseys and track shorts officially dethroned yoga pants as the athletic trend du jour for fashion connoisseurs, with a focus on both comfort and style through elegant finishing touches.
    — Emily Tannenbaum, Glamour, 20 Aug. 2026
  • This tactical evolution, alongside exceptional finishing quality, underscores a tournament defined by strategic depth.
    — Clemente Lisi, Forbes.com, 30 June 2026
Definition of finishing
Verb
  • Either the Chiefs or Broncos have won the division for the past 16 seasons, with Denver halting Kansas City’s nine-year streak of division championships last year.
    — Blair Kerkhoff, Kansas City Star, 7 Sep. 2026
  • The space agency resumed observations with the telescope late last month after halting them early this year to conserve power.
    — Marcia Dunn, Los Angeles Times, 6 Sep. 2026
Definition of halting

Browse Nearby Words

leaving
leaving off
leaving (out)
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Cite this Entry

“Leaving off.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/leaving%20off. Accessed 15 Sep. 2026.

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