1
as in to dismiss
to express scornfully one's low opinion of
most critics have already written off that director as a hack incapable of turning out anything but schlock
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to reduce
to diminish the price or value of
that one blunder will write off to nothing all the goodwill we've been building up
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 write off
Others like Geno Smith had to grind their way back to starting roles after being written off.
—
Kimberly Wilson, Essence, 4 Sep. 2025
The character was written off in Season 2 with the explanation that his father, a key donor to the school, pulled both his funding and his son from Nevermore and sent Xavier abroad to Reichenbach Academy in Switzerland.
—Dessi Gomez, Deadline, 2 Sep. 2025
Parts of Beirut seem to have been written off, after a series of disasters even a minimally competent government could have averted.
—Graeme Wood, The Atlantic, 2 Sep. 2025
Kiley is among several centrist GOP lawmakers whose districts could be altered or written off altogether if California successfully redraws congressional maps this fall.
—Rachel Schilke, The Washington Examiner, 29 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for write off
Kimberly Wilson, Essence, 4 Sep. 2025
The character was written off in Season 2 with the explanation that his father, a key donor to the school, pulled both his funding and his son from Nevermore and sent Xavier abroad to Reichenbach Academy in Switzerland.
—Dessi Gomez, Deadline, 2 Sep. 2025
Parts of Beirut seem to have been written off, after a series of disasters even a minimally competent government could have averted.
—Graeme Wood, The Atlantic, 2 Sep. 2025
Kiley is among several centrist GOP lawmakers whose districts could be altered or written off altogether if California successfully redraws congressional maps this fall.
—Rachel Schilke, The Washington Examiner, 29 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for write off
Recent Examples of Synonyms for write off
Verb
-
Once the contestants are dismissed from the runway, the judges get more into it.—
Roxana Hadadi,
Vulture,
26 Sep. 2025
-
Defense attorneys for the man accused of killing his Miami Hurricanes football star teammate in 2006 want prosecutors sanctioned — or the murder case dismissed — after a key witness, who state prosecutors believed was dead, was found alive by an ESPN reporter.—
Grethel Aguila,
Miami Herald,
25 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
The weapon can also fly more than 45 miles to strike mobile targets, reducing the amount of time that aircrews spend in harm’s way.—
Prabhat Ranjan Mishra,
Interesting Engineering,
25 Sep. 2025
-
Robert Shapiro, a professor of government and public affairs at Columbia University, questioned whether the removal of social media would meaningfully reduce the likelihood of political violence.—
Max Zahn,
ABC News,
25 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Once stationary, deactivate all lights except the hazard flashers, engage the emergency brake, and release the brake pedal to ensure your tail lights remain unlit, minimizing the chance of other drivers colliding with your stationary vehicle.—
NC Weather Bot,
Charlotte Observer,
23 Sep. 2025
-
Jones got acclimated to the Panthers’ system through his live reps and tried to minimize the growing pains as quickly as possible.—
Jordan McPherson,
Miami Herald,
23 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
While writing down lists may not work for everyone, and journaling may seem like yet another task to complete, Sandbech believes your mind deserves the same opportunity for self-care as any other part of your body.—
Asif Burhan,
Forbes.com,
16 Sep. 2025
-
Some coping mechanisms include grounding techniques like deep breathing, writing down thoughts and feelings, and talking with trusted people.—
Angelica Stabile,
FOXNews.com,
16 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
The low-key setting — a 6-0 thrashing of third tier opposition in the Carabao Cup third round — does not diminish the quality of strikes that Gomez’s former Inter Miami team-mate Lionel Messi would have been proud of.—
Andy Naylor,
New York Times,
24 Sep. 2025
-
However, the overall severe weather threat will diminish as the front pushes southward.—
Brayden Garcia,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
22 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
The Chargers ran down the clock after Herbert gained 2 yards on a sneak.—
Daniel Popper,
New York Times,
22 Sep. 2025
-
The Grammy Award-winning artist styled a black suited moment, featuring a pair of tapered trousers and an oversized single-breasted black jacket with three buttons running down the front placket of the garment.—
Julia Teti,
Footwear News,
18 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Throughout the war, Israeli officials have consistently played down the severity of hunger in Gaza.—
Pablo Robles,
New York Times,
14 Sep. 2025
-
After a week of playing down to – and then slightly lower than – their last-place opponents, the Dodgers completed a three-game sweep of the Colorado Rockies with a 9-0 victory on Wednesday night.—
Bill Plunkett,
Oc Register,
11 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Perhaps the fact she was talked down by others reflects how weak and rushed her candidacy turned out to be.—
Kate Plummer,
MSNBC Newsweek,
18 Sep. 2025
-
Challenge them, don’t talk down to them.—
Expert Panel®,
Forbes.com,
17 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Write off.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/write%20off. Accessed 27 Sep. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share