1
as in stops
to bring (as an action or operation) to an immediate end
threatened to shut off peace talks if the other side kept making unreasonable demands
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in kills
to cause to stop functioning
shut off the computer to save electricity
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of shuts off
Each treatment lasts three minutes and automatically shuts off when it's done.
—
Tamim Alnuweiri, InStyle, 20 Jan. 2026
Grant leads his mother down the steps as Rose shuts off the light.
—Carly Tagen-Dye, PEOPLE, 4 Nov. 2025
The keyboard also comes with a pairable mouse that automatically shuts off the user’s webcam when it’s placed on an accompanying dock.
—Mack Degeurin, Popular Science, 9 Oct. 2025
Taliban shuts off Afghanistan internet nationwide Afghanistan imposed a nationwide internet blackout, the latest sign of the Taliban government’s increasingly severe rule.
—Reed Albergotti, semafor.com, 3 Oct. 2025
Most importantly, it’s designed with an essential tip-over protection system that automatically shuts off the gas if the unit tips more than 45 degrees.
—Caley Sturgill, Southern Living, 29 Sep. 2025
The defroster and defogger system shuts off during certain HVAC system faults, such as electrical compressor failure, due to the programming of the HVAC and ECU software, according to the recall report.
—James Powel, USA Today, 15 Sep. 2025
The communication system shuts off 15 seconds before the play clock expires.
—Omar Kelly, Miami Herald, 5 Sep. 2025
The thirst response shuts off; the throat cools, and the mouth becomes moist again.
—Dan Samorodnitsky, Quanta Magazine, 11 Aug. 2025
Tamim Alnuweiri, InStyle, 20 Jan. 2026
Grant leads his mother down the steps as Rose shuts off the light.
—Carly Tagen-Dye, PEOPLE, 4 Nov. 2025
The keyboard also comes with a pairable mouse that automatically shuts off the user’s webcam when it’s placed on an accompanying dock.
—Mack Degeurin, Popular Science, 9 Oct. 2025
Taliban shuts off Afghanistan internet nationwide Afghanistan imposed a nationwide internet blackout, the latest sign of the Taliban government’s increasingly severe rule.
—Reed Albergotti, semafor.com, 3 Oct. 2025
Most importantly, it’s designed with an essential tip-over protection system that automatically shuts off the gas if the unit tips more than 45 degrees.
—Caley Sturgill, Southern Living, 29 Sep. 2025
The defroster and defogger system shuts off during certain HVAC system faults, such as electrical compressor failure, due to the programming of the HVAC and ECU software, according to the recall report.
—James Powel, USA Today, 15 Sep. 2025
The communication system shuts off 15 seconds before the play clock expires.
—Omar Kelly, Miami Herald, 5 Sep. 2025
The thirst response shuts off; the throat cools, and the mouth becomes moist again.
—Dan Samorodnitsky, Quanta Magazine, 11 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for shuts off
Verb
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After the initial stomach issues subside, the toxin continues to invade the liver cells and stops them from making RNA (ribonucleic acid), which the body needs to make healing and protective proteins.—
Amy McGorry,
FOXNews.com,
26 Jan. 2026
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In turn, breathing nearly stops, and its brain activity becomes barely detectable.—
Scott Travers,
Forbes.com,
24 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Bystander videos, like the ones taken of Pretti, have played a key role for decades in informing the public when law enforcement kills or injures people.—
Ava Berger,
NPR,
28 Jan. 2026
-
The film follows a quiet inmate arriving at a violent Indonesian prison with a supernatural entity that kills those with the darkest auras.—
Naman Ramachandran,
Variety,
27 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
The world never ceases to produce grist for discussion.—
Thomas Chatterton Williams,
The Atlantic,
30 Dec. 2025
-
Rithy has made several films about the Cambodian victims of the Khmer Rouge era, but here the focus seems to be on the crucible of disillusionment through which everyone must pass when the world ceases to cohere with our vision of it.—
Alison Willmore,
Vulture,
1 Dec. 2025
Verb
-
Usually the treatment plant turns off its pumps, allowing ice to flow by the intake.—
Madeline Bartos,
CBS News,
20 Jan. 2026
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Depending on the type, electric bikes can reach speeds of more than 20 mph before the electric motor turns off.—
Matthew Adams,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
12 Jan. 2026
Verb
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This match is unlikely to quiet speculation that Styles’ career truly ends after the Royal Rumble.—
Rob Wolkenbrod,
Forbes.com,
24 Jan. 2026
-
Governor candidate ends campaign days after revelations Navy SEAL veteran and manufacturing CEO Bill Berrien ended his bid for governor less than three months after entering the race.—
Milwaukee Journal Sentinel,
jsonline.com,
23 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Should any of these conditions not be met, the contract halts and notifies all relevant parties.—
Matthew Kayser,
Idaho Statesman,
20 Jan. 2026
-
Flights at New York City at LaGuardia Airport and JFK faced slight delays and halts Saturday afternoon.—
Nicholas Williams,
New York Daily News,
17 Jan. 2026
Verb
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This higher temperature darkens the paste, slightly caramelizes the sugar, and deactivates enzymes that would otherwise break down pectin, resulting in a thicker, more cooked-tasting product.—
Anne Wolf,
Martha Stewart,
7 Jan. 2026
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The heat from the water also deactivates enzymes that break down pigments.—
The Washington Post,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
6 Aug. 2025
Verb
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The drug cuts off access to vitamin A in the testes by blocking a receptor known as RAR alpha.—
Ana Castelain,
Bloomberg,
28 Jan. 2026
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Many girls and women have turned to online education being offered by organizations in other countries, but the nationwide blackout now cuts off their access to that, too.—
Chantelle Lee,
Time,
30 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Shuts off.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/shuts%20off. Accessed 29 Jan. 2026.
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