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
Smart power strips can help reduce energy waste by automatically shutting off devices not in use.
—
Jessica Safavimehr, Southern Living, 28 May 2026
Tehran cemented its grip on the Strait of Hormuz; a few more tankers managed to pass through in the last few days, albeit only by either negotiating in advance with Iran, or by shutting off their transponders and racing through.
—Tim McDonnell, semafor.com, 14 May 2026
Don’t try to handle a squatter yourself by changing locks, hauling out belongings or shutting off utilities — Texas law treats that as a self-help eviction and can backfire if the person turns out to have tenant rights, making court eviction the required route in landlord-tenant cases.
—Tiffani Jackson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 11 May 2026
Over a dozen people were 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, 30 Apr. 2026
Their farewell message was accompanied by video of an employee shutting off the lights at the 7th Street location one last time.
—Tanasia Kenney, Charlotte Observer, 29 Apr. 2026
Deep in the woods, a tree had fallen over a power line, blocking the road out of the canyon and effectively shutting off all of the electricity in the immediate area.
—Angie Martoccio, Rolling Stone, 20 Apr. 2026
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
Jessica Safavimehr, Southern Living, 28 May 2026
Tehran cemented its grip on the Strait of Hormuz; a few more tankers managed to pass through in the last few days, albeit only by either negotiating in advance with Iran, or by shutting off their transponders and racing through.
—Tim McDonnell, semafor.com, 14 May 2026
Don’t try to handle a squatter yourself by changing locks, hauling out belongings or shutting off utilities — Texas law treats that as a self-help eviction and can backfire if the person turns out to have tenant rights, making court eviction the required route in landlord-tenant cases.
—Tiffani Jackson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 11 May 2026
Over a dozen people were 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, 30 Apr. 2026
Their farewell message was accompanied by video of an employee shutting off the lights at the 7th Street location one last time.
—Tanasia Kenney, Charlotte Observer, 29 Apr. 2026
Deep in the woods, a tree had fallen over a power line, blocking the road out of the canyon and effectively shutting off all of the electricity in the immediate area.
—Angie Martoccio, Rolling Stone, 20 Apr. 2026
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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for shutting off
Verb
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That James left Northeast Ohio without ending Cleveland’s excruciating championship drought—the city hadn’t won a major pro sports title since 1964—added to the furor.—
Sean Gregory,
Time,
9 June 2026
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Like Danault, wingers Corey Perry and Warren Foegele were also dealt for draft picks, while Fiala and Kuzmenko sustained season-ending injuries in February.—
Andrew Knoll,
Daily News,
9 June 2026
Verb
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Grid failure doesn’t just mean the lights turning off, Straubel said.—
Jordan Blum,
Fortune,
9 June 2026
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However, if the temperature is set too low, then the air conditioner may operate for long periods of time, rarely turning off.—
Timothy Dale,
The Spruce,
8 June 2026
Verb
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Bussi got the nod after stopping 18 of 19 shots in relief of Andersen in Game 3 in the third period and two overtimes.—
Michael Russo,
New York Times,
10 June 2026
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Afterward, locals recommend stopping at Lake Hollywood Park for fresh fruit topped with Tajín and chamoy.—
Alia Beard Rau,
USA Today,
10 June 2026
Verb
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Those humans had been killing elk for a very long time and may have even followed the elk and bison onto the continent.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
10 June 2026
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Anthony, now 19, was accused of killing Metcalf on April 2, 2025, at Kuykendall Stadium in Frisco.—
Doug Myers,
CBS News,
10 June 2026
Verb
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While this weekend was about celebration, the recent announcement that another USL SL club, the Spokane Zephyr, is ceasing operations after just two seasons, put the overall plans for the league’s growth in question.—
Tamerra Griffin,
New York Times,
2 June 2026
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Determined to focus on peace The ceasefire is looking a little more firing and a little less ceasing this morning.—
Eleanor Pringle,
Fortune,
28 May 2026
Verb
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And for the first time this season, the cars wrecked completely flat-out; with no long straights and plenty of braking zones, the cars were not energy-limited for once this season.—
Jonathan M. Gitlin,
ArsTechnica,
8 June 2026
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Toyota reverses that setup here to provide greater rigidity and better resistance to flex under cornering and braking loads.—
Utkarsh Sood
June 06,
New Atlas,
6 June 2026
Verb
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The state takeover quickly killed momentum for the 836 extension, with GMX administrators halting a program to acquire land along the planned route.—
Douglas Hanks
June 11,
Miami Herald,
11 June 2026
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In Maryland, a judge has granted a preliminary injunction halting construction activities at a Williamsport warehouse while a lawsuit is heard.—
Ryan J. Foley,
Los Angeles Times,
9 June 2026
Verb
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It’s told from the perspective of a man who, ten years after cutting off his parents, reflects on their lives and on his upbringing.—
Nina Mesfin,
New Yorker,
7 June 2026
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The White House has doubled down on battles with Harvard and UCLA after federal judges blocked the administration from cutting off research funding from the campuses.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
4 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Shutting off.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/shutting%20off. Accessed 14 Jun. 2026.
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