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
Companies could also consider shutting off access to their technology for certain time frames, Rae suggests.
—
Kristin Stoller, Fortune, 24 Mar. 2026
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
Kristin Stoller, Fortune, 24 Mar. 2026
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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for shutting off
Verb
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However, Richey escaped any further damage with an inning-ending strikeout.—
Mike Waters,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
8 Apr. 2026
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This one, coming off the back of two hugely disappointing, trophy-ending, and potentially derailing defeats, was one of their best of the season.—
Tim Spiers,
New York Times,
8 Apr. 2026
Verb
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By turning off the gene, called ANGPTL3, blood lipid levels should fall.—
David Cox,
NBC news,
6 Apr. 2026
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Unsafe practices can include turning off the automatic tracking system that transmits the vessel's location to other ships.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
5 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Peanut cannot smell, but caregivers say that limitation does not appear to be stopping him from adjusting to his new surroundings.—
Cierra Morgan,
Los Angeles Times,
7 Apr. 2026
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There are 81 rooms in total, ranging from classic doubles to one-bedroom apartments, while the show-stopping penthouse suite has a dining table for eight, a dressing room and an enormous 130-square-metre rooftop terrace with a private sauna and cold plunge pool overlooking Fitzrovia.—
Siobhan Grogan,
TheWeek,
7 Apr. 2026
Verb
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But last year a single pack was responsible for killing about 100 calves in less than seven months in the high ranchland of Sierra County north of Truckee, costing ranchers and the state millions and terrifying residents.—
Sharon Bernstein,
Sacbee.com,
8 Apr. 2026
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Prosecutors, meanwhile, argue that Clancy carefully planned and plotted before allegedly killing her three children by sending her husband out of the house.—
Chris Spargo,
PEOPLE,
8 Apr. 2026
Verb
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In practice, that involved ceasing to provide links or recommendations to official Potter events and products and committing themselves to directly countering the misinformation Rowling was spreading to her vast online audience.—
Séamas O'Reilly,
Vulture,
26 Mar. 2026
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Without ever ceasing to be an artist.—
Elsa Keslassy,
Variety,
24 Mar. 2026
Verb
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And drivers should avoid hard acceleration and braking whenever possible, and skip premium gas if their cars allow it, the magazine said.—
Matthew Daly,
Chicago Tribune,
28 Mar. 2026
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The rear light flares bright when braking to add visibility for trailing riders and drivers.—
Erica Zazo,
Outside,
27 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Bills to temporarily halting data center construction have been introduced in at least dozen states, according to the National Conference of State Legislatures.—
Emily Wilkins,
CNBC,
9 Apr. 2026
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Meaningful regime change, halting Iran's nuclear ambitions, and dismantling its ballistic missile program are all very much an open question, with some analysts saying the war has led to an even more hardline government in Tehran that may be more determined to pursue nuclear weapons.—
Greg Myre,
NPR,
8 Apr. 2026
Verb
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If this is the case, then cutting off the water supply to this waterfall — to fill a dam or for irrigation, which happens — could harm the fish.—
Ari Daniel,
NPR,
5 Apr. 2026
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Retail connections faded as foot traffic disappeared, cutting off communication with buyers.—
J.M. Banks
March 21,
Kansas City Star,
21 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Shutting off.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/shutting%20off. Accessed 12 Apr. 2026.
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