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
Relevance
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
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 shutting off
If someone becomes trapped by suction, shutting off the pump can release the pressure immediately.
—
Meghan Schiller, CBS News, 16 Mar. 2026
Kuwait, Iraq, and the UAE are shutting off wells as storage tanks overflow.
—Phil Mattingly, CNN Money, 9 Mar. 2026
Slip on an eye mask and feel your way through a wall of surprise elements like robber gorilla hands, fuzzy fabric, and sneakers, shutting off one sense and heightening another.
—Liz Regalia, Parents, 3 Mar. 2026
Like clockwork, the City of Boston released its annual payroll just before shutting off the lights for the month.
—Joe Dwinell, Boston Herald, 28 Feb. 2026
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
Meghan Schiller, CBS News, 16 Mar. 2026
Kuwait, Iraq, and the UAE are shutting off wells as storage tanks overflow.
—Phil Mattingly, CNN Money, 9 Mar. 2026
Slip on an eye mask and feel your way through a wall of surprise elements like robber gorilla hands, fuzzy fabric, and sneakers, shutting off one sense and heightening another.
—Liz Regalia, Parents, 3 Mar. 2026
Like clockwork, the City of Boston released its annual payroll just before shutting off the lights for the month.
—Joe Dwinell, Boston Herald, 28 Feb. 2026
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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for shutting off
Verb
-
After ending the third quarter with an eight-point advantage, the Hornets broke the game open by outscoring the Heat 40-18 in the fourth quarter.—
Anthony Chiang,
Miami Herald,
18 Mar. 2026
-
Other locations will see snow ending tonight.—
NC Weather Bot,
Charlotte Observer,
17 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Try turning off your ad blocker.—
Joseph Hoyt,
Dallas Morning News,
17 Mar. 2026
-
Smith says nine Iranian oil tankers have traveled through the Strait of Hormuz by turning off transponders that reveal locations.—
Cecilia Vega,
CBS News,
15 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Leave the resort to dine at Sunset Mona Lisa, a neighboring cliffside terrace where Mediterranean-leaning plates play second fiddle to the show-stopping tangerine-pink sunsets.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
18 Mar. 2026
-
Arizona's prosecution comes shortly after Kalshi filed preemptive civil actions against Utah, Iowa and the Grand Canyon State in hopes of stopping those states from acting against the platform.—
David K. Li,
NBC news,
17 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
The Basij were the entity linked to the crackdown on nationwide civilian protests in late December and early January, allegedly killing thousands.—
Mike Brest,
The Washington Examiner,
17 Mar. 2026
-
Two sport utility vehicles slammed into each other on Saturday night in Cooke County when the driver of one passed a third vehicle, killing a couple and their young son, authorities said.—
Emerson Clarridge
Updated March 16,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
17 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
The Treasury says ceasing penny production will save $56 million annually, but rounding could increase demand for nickels.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
12 Mar. 2026
-
The Treasury says ceasing penny production will save $56 million annually, but rounding could increase demand for nickels.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
11 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Torque-vectoring control and performance braking package The four-wheel-drive version of the Ti3 adds a series of premium features aimed at improving performance, comfort, and the overall driving experience.—
Bojan Stojkovski,
Interesting Engineering,
14 Mar. 2026
-
Tracks such as Shanghai, meanwhile, feature more corners and braking zones, so this factor the drivers and many fans don’t like is much reduced.—
Luke Smith,
New York Times,
13 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
An agreement halting the executions of nine Georgia inmates on death row during the coronavirus pandemic shouldn’t keep them alive anymore, the state’s solicitor general argued Wednesday to the Georgia Supreme Court, the AJC’s Rosie Manins reports.—
Adam Beam,
AJC.com,
19 Mar. 2026
-
The measure halting the gradual raises approved by the City Council in 2023 passed in a 30-to-18 vote, leaving its supporters four aldermen short of the supermajority needed to overturn a Johnson veto.—
Jake Sheridan,
Chicago Tribune,
18 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Bloomberg | Bloomberg | Getty Images The United Arab Emirates is considering cutting off Iranian access to billions of dollars held in the Gulf state, the Wall Street Journal reported Thursday.—
Anniek Bao,
CNBC,
6 Mar. 2026
-
And people very quickly begin to think about cutting off electricity, cutting off water, damage to their cities.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
1 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Shutting off.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/shutting%20off. Accessed 22 Mar. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
