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
Relevance
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
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 shuts off
This device recognizes when nature brings the water that your lawn needs and shuts off automatic sprinklers.
—
Ashley Miznazi, Miami Herald, 10 Feb. 2026
Heybike has included several safety features like a magnetic kill switch that shuts off the power if the rider disconnects from the bike, a reverse assist that helps you back out of tight places, and throttle reset protection, which guards against unintentional launches.
—New Atlas, 4 Feb. 2026
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
Ashley Miznazi, Miami Herald, 10 Feb. 2026
Heybike has included several safety features like a magnetic kill switch that shuts off the power if the rider disconnects from the bike, a reverse assist that helps you back out of tight places, and throttle reset protection, which guards against unintentional launches.
—New Atlas, 4 Feb. 2026
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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for shuts off
Verb
-
There’s a long inner liner that stops a few inches short of the hem, offering calf-length coverage.—
Sophie Dodd,
Travel + Leisure,
15 Feb. 2026
-
If Chipotle stops producing them, these chairs might appreciate to become a solid investment.—
Sam Stone,
Bon Appetit Magazine,
14 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
The virus spreads to a glioblastoma cell, kills it, and then makes a copy of itself that spreads again to another glioblastoma cell.—
Rick Sobey,
Boston Herald,
11 Feb. 2026
-
They're also usually eaten without cooking, a process that kills said bacteria.—
Kirsten Nunez,
Martha Stewart,
10 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Such desires can persist even after the reward itself ceases to be pleasurable.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
13 Feb. 2026
-
Once the prisoner ceases his danse macabre, the crowd goes wild.—
David Fear,
Rolling Stone,
11 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
The beetle, Sceptobius lativentris, even smaller than the ant, turns off its own pheromones to go stealth.—
Lila Seidman,
Los Angeles Times,
10 Feb. 2026
-
This extension cord with dual USB ports not only provides industrial design to your office setup or living space, but also turns off automatically once your mobile device is charged in order to save your battery.—
Kelsey Borovinsky,
Architectural Digest,
9 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
But the movie ends when Cathy dies, distraught and brokenhearted over Heathcliff and having starved herself during her pregnancy.—
Clare Mulroy,
USA Today,
13 Feb. 2026
-
When the sun moves away from the node, the season ends, and eclipses become impossible again.—
Jamie Carter,
Space.com,
13 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Stanton demonstrates his battery by shorting the coils, which halts the pendulum due to the magnetic field’s braking effect.—
Ameya Paleja,
Interesting Engineering,
11 Feb. 2026
-
Should any of these conditions not be met, the contract halts and notifies all relevant parties.—
Matthew Kayser,
Idaho Statesman,
20 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
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
-
The heat from the water also deactivates enzymes that break down pigments.—
The Washington Post,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
6 Aug. 2025
Verb
-
Turning your phone off or using airplane mode cuts off wireless communication while still allowing alarms to work.—
Kurt Knutsson,
FOXNews.com,
3 Feb. 2026
-
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
Cite this Entry
“Shuts off.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/shuts%20off. Accessed 18 Feb. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
