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

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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
  • The Justice Department has sued California and other states over their trans-inclusive sports policies, and successfully threatened large hospitals into ending gender-affirming care programs.
    — Kevin Rector, Los Angeles Times, 11 Oct. 2026
  • All the Washington Commanders needed to do was spike the ball and kick a game-ending field goal in overtime.
    — Jake Kauderer, Washington Post, 11 Oct. 2026
Definition of ending
Verb
  • But Hurts threw incomplete on first down, wasting only four seconds and stopping the clock.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 12 Oct. 2026
  • The crackdown extended beyond the protest venue, with police stopping buses, cars and other vehicles at checkpoints on routes into the capital and searching for demonstrators.
    — Sheikh Saaliq, Los Angeles Times, 11 Oct. 2026
Definition of stopping
Adjective
  • Running back Ousmane Kromah has 565 rushing yards and five touchdowns, while receivers Jayvan Boggs, Duce Robinson and Michai Danzy can all make plays in the passing game.
    — Jordan McPherson, Miami Herald, 15 Oct. 2026
  • Bo Nix continues to struggle to get the passing game going and Seattle’s defense remains among the league’s best across most major statistical categories, making this a tough matchup on a short week.
    — Jonathan Rubin, Charlotte Observer, 14 Oct. 2026
Definition of passing
Verb
  • Calvin lives in Snook’s Arm, a community on the verge of ceasing to exist.
    — Daniel Fienberg, HollywoodReporter, 8 Oct. 2026
  • Scanlon told me Friday afternoon that Pattis will try to enjoin him from ceasing the payments.
    — Kevin Rennie, Hartford Courant, 19 Sep. 2026
Definition of ceasing
Verb
  • With a pending lockout, expiring player contracts and possible retirements, who knows what the future will hold.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 17 Oct. 2026
  • With that temporary order expiring Tuesday, the judge issued a preliminary injunction that preserves the status quo indefinitely while the case is pending.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 15 Oct. 2026
Definition of expiring
Adjective
  • As the clock continues to tick down ahead of the $875 million stadium’s debut, officials noted many finishing touches remain related to the venue’s interior but that the university will be ready by game day.
    — Claire Murphy, Chicago Tribune, 24 Sep. 2026
  • 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
Definition of finishing
Verb
  • Tensions peaked when a demonstrator threw a cup of blood from the spectators’ gallery onto the Senate floor, halting business for several hours before the bill passed.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 11 Oct. 2026
  • Last week, a judge granted a preliminary injunction halting construction in the Big Bend area while a lawsuit against the project proceeds.
    — Ryan Devereaux, ProPublica, 10 Oct. 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 18 Oct. 2026.

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