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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Before ending his career, Tanter witnessed another Laker capture the all-time scoring record as James eclipsed Abdul-Jabbar's 38,287 points.—
Matthew Rodriguez,
CBS News,
17 June 2026
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In 2003, Roy Horn was attacked by a white Bengal tiger during a Siegfried & Roy show, leaving him partially paralyzed and ending the long-running act.—
Dan Snierson,
Entertainment Weekly,
16 June 2026
Verb
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In a tropical climate, turning off the AC backfires, because the energy needed to drag the room temperature back down on return is greater than the energy saved.—
Christopher Elliott,
Forbes.com,
13 June 2026
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Grid failure doesn’t just mean the lights turning off, Straubel said.—
Jordan Blum,
Fortune,
9 June 2026
Verb
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Fans can also pick up souvenir maps when stopping at the attraction this summer.—
Chiara Kim,
PEOPLE,
16 June 2026
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Things to do along the Little Parkway Southern Living recommends stopping at several of the High Country’s most popular attractions, including Grandfather Mountain, where visitors can cross the Mile High Swinging Bridge, explore the Wilson Center for Nature Discovery and access nearby trails.—
Evan Moore,
Charlotte Observer,
16 June 2026
Verb
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Tom then explains the actual Trolley Problem, the philosophical debate about having to choose whether to pull a lever that will prevent a runaway trolley from killing multiple people, but will still result in the death of a single person.—
Jen Chaney,
Vulture,
17 June 2026
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But the Israeli military has yet to fully stop hostilities, killing at least four people in separate strikes Tuesday on Lebanon, according to Lebanese state media.—
Kevin Liptak,
CNN Money,
17 June 2026
Verb
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Kraken, one of the oldest crypto exchanges in the global industry, is ceasing on World Cup fever and drawing parallels between soccer fans and ‘hodlers’ in their promotions.—
Cleve Mesidor,
Forbes.com,
14 June 2026
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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
Verb
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The braking setup is identical too, with a single dual-piston caliper and 290-mm disc up front, and a 220-mm disc with a two-piston caliper for the rear.—
Utkarsh Sood
June 13,
New Atlas,
13 June 2026
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And Brembo, an Italian company specializing in braking systems which has had a partnership with Ferrari for more than 50 years, has responded.—
Madeline Coleman,
New York Times,
9 June 2026
Verb
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An elderly Syrian man also was set to be deported to the Central African Republic but received an emergency temporary order halting his deportation, his lawyer Margaret Stock said.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
12 June 2026
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Imagine latency issues halting activity on a trading floor.—
Scott Fulton,
Forbes.com,
12 June 2026
Verb
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According to the Wall Street Journal, the export control directive that led to Anthropic cutting off access to Fable 5 and Mythos 5 was triggered in part by cybersecurity research from Amazon and conversations between CEO Andy Jassy and the White House.—
Terrence O'Brien,
The Verge,
13 June 2026
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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
Cite this Entry
“Shutting off.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/shutting%20off. Accessed 18 Jun. 2026.
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