1
as in ending
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 turning off
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 shutting off
If the patient moves, the system can react instantly, shutting off the beam to help prevent harm to healthy tissue, according to a press release.
—
Prabhat Ranjan Mishra, Interesting Engineering, 6 Feb. 2026
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
The plan discussed in committee would also create parameters for providers shutting off water service to residents.
—Arpan Lobo, Freep.com, 29 Oct. 2025
At one point, customers heard a rumor that SDG&E was shutting off electricity to the building — an alarming development that would have left the business’s freezers without power.
—Karen Kucher, San Diego Union-Tribune, 19 Oct. 2025
Audrey Hepburn plays a blind woman who manages to thwart intruders by shutting off all the lights in her apartment.
—Emma Specter, Vogue, 19 Oct. 2025
Like houses slowly shutting off their lights as a town falls into slumber, the brain gradually turns to night mode.
—Yasemin Saplakoglu, Quanta Magazine, 17 Oct. 2025
Burton is one of over a dozen people who have been arrested on suspicion of helping the escapees, including another inmate in the jail and a jail maintenance worker who is accused of shutting off water to the toilet allowing escapees to remove it.
—Meredith Deliso, ABC News, 8 Oct. 2025
Although SoCal Edison can prevent electrical fires by shutting off the power that flows through the lines, the utility did not turn the power off to most circuits that power Altadena.
—Chiara Eisner, NPR, 2 Oct. 2025
Prabhat Ranjan Mishra, Interesting Engineering, 6 Feb. 2026
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
The plan discussed in committee would also create parameters for providers shutting off water service to residents.
—Arpan Lobo, Freep.com, 29 Oct. 2025
At one point, customers heard a rumor that SDG&E was shutting off electricity to the building — an alarming development that would have left the business’s freezers without power.
—Karen Kucher, San Diego Union-Tribune, 19 Oct. 2025
Audrey Hepburn plays a blind woman who manages to thwart intruders by shutting off all the lights in her apartment.
—Emma Specter, Vogue, 19 Oct. 2025
Like houses slowly shutting off their lights as a town falls into slumber, the brain gradually turns to night mode.
—Yasemin Saplakoglu, Quanta Magazine, 17 Oct. 2025
Burton is one of over a dozen people who have been arrested on suspicion of helping the escapees, including another inmate in the jail and a jail maintenance worker who is accused of shutting off water to the toilet allowing escapees to remove it.
—Meredith Deliso, ABC News, 8 Oct. 2025
Although SoCal Edison can prevent electrical fires by shutting off the power that flows through the lines, the utility did not turn the power off to most circuits that power Altadena.
—Chiara Eisner, NPR, 2 Oct. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for shutting off
Verb
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Less than a year after ending a European tour, Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band are headed back out on the Land of Hope and Dreams American tour.—
Melinda Newman,
Billboard,
17 Feb. 2026
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Running back Cam Skattebo, who was putting together a strong rookie campaign for the New York Giants in 2025 before suffering a season-ending ankle injury in Week 8, played for Sac State in 2021 and 2022 before transferring to Arizona State.—
Joe Davidson,
Sacbee.com,
17 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Duke recommends lowering thermostats, turning off unnecessary devices and not using major appliances such as washing machines, dryers and dishwashers during that time.—
Mark Price,
Charlotte Observer,
1 Feb. 2026
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According to a report from the American Psychological Association, effective media guardrails that can improve your mental health include turning off all phone notifications, adding tech-free periods every day and limiting social media sessions to 15 minutes or less.—
Hunter Boyce,
AJC.com,
27 Jan. 2026
Verb
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When stopping roadside, position your vehicle as far off the road as possible, ideally beyond guardrails.—
Bay Area Weather Report,
Mercury News,
17 Feb. 2026
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For years, the staunchest border hawks and hard-liners justified their positions in terms of stopping unlawful immigration.—
Jonathan Blitzer,
New Yorker,
17 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Also on Tuesday, Indivisible CT is conducting an anti-ICE rally on the state Capitol lawn, taking political aim at a federal agency that has fallen sharply out of public favor after killing two American citizens in Minnesota and roughing up scores of others.—
Don Stacom,
Hartford Courant,
17 Feb. 2026
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The ex-husband of former First Lady Jill Biden, who has been accused of killing his wife late last year, pleaded not guilty in the case during a virtual court appearance on Tuesday.—
Jessica Schladebeck,
Mercury News,
17 Feb. 2026
Verb
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In its final spring prediction before ceasing its 208-year publication, the Farmers' Almanac is predicting a slow start to spring in Wisconsin.—
Kelli Arseneau,
jsonline.com,
13 Feb. 2026
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Yet, without ceasing, another generation of Puerto Ricans pick up the mantle to chant in the streets and fight for their country, out of love for their forefathers and foremothers.—
Taylor Crumpton,
Time,
10 Feb. 2026
Verb
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But then, with one lap to go and the white flag already out, his Open-car competitor Corey LaJoie spun out, and instead of braking and avoiding the carnage, Mears smashed his foot on the pedal and zoomed ahead of LaJoie before the caution came out.—
Alex Zietlow,
Charlotte Observer,
13 Feb. 2026
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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
Verb
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In the meantime, the plaintiffs want a temporary restraining order halting further development of Beall’s property.—
Matthew Adams,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
17 Feb. 2026
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Gage Lattimore scored 21 points and North Carolina Central beat Morgan State 80-76 on Monday night, halting the Bears' six-game winning streak.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
16 Feb. 2026
Verb
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In Tennessee, Republican leaders have worked with the White House to craft a package of bills aimed at cutting off any state spending on unauthorized residents, in part by creating immigration checks for public school children.—
Trevor Hughes,
USA Today,
14 Feb. 2026
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Tax the billionaires to pay for our monthly healthcare and childcare costs, ban private equity firms from buying our homes, lower energy costs by cutting off wasteful bitcoin and AI data centers.—
Rachel Royster,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
14 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Shutting off.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/shutting%20off. Accessed 20 Feb. 2026.
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