1
as in dismissing
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 reducing
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
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Recent Examples of writing off
Instead of writing off the cost of certain assets over several years, businesses can generally deduct the full cost upfront, within limits.
—
Forbes Money Team, Forbes.com, 26 Jan. 2026
Also since the press conference, some doctors have begun writing off-label prescriptions for autistic children, against the advice of medical groups including the American Academy of Pediatrics.
—Jon Hamilton, NPR, 22 Jan. 2026
Last week started with the big banks delivering strong earnings and ended with regional lenders writing off bad loans.
—Zev Fima,kevin Stankiewicz, CNBC, 19 Oct. 2025
The mistake is writing off these sayings as coach speak.
—Daniel Popper, New York Times, 22 Sep. 2025
No one is writing off the Lions by any means (Detroit and Green Bay have the shortest odds to win the NFC after Philadelphia).
—Tyler Everett, MSNBC Newsweek, 7 Sep. 2025
Playoff hopes may be dimming, but the New England Revolution is not writing off the 2025 season as its front office presses on with an active summer transfer window.
—Julian Cardillo, Boston Herald, 14 Aug. 2025
Forbes Money Team, Forbes.com, 26 Jan. 2026
Also since the press conference, some doctors have begun writing off-label prescriptions for autistic children, against the advice of medical groups including the American Academy of Pediatrics.
—Jon Hamilton, NPR, 22 Jan. 2026
Last week started with the big banks delivering strong earnings and ended with regional lenders writing off bad loans.
—Zev Fima,kevin Stankiewicz, CNBC, 19 Oct. 2025
The mistake is writing off these sayings as coach speak.
—Daniel Popper, New York Times, 22 Sep. 2025
No one is writing off the Lions by any means (Detroit and Green Bay have the shortest odds to win the NFC after Philadelphia).
—Tyler Everett, MSNBC Newsweek, 7 Sep. 2025
Playoff hopes may be dimming, but the New England Revolution is not writing off the 2025 season as its front office presses on with an active summer transfer window.
—Julian Cardillo, Boston Herald, 14 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for writing off
Verb
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Rather than dismissing student activism as naïve or disruptive, civic leaders can engage these young Marylanders in real discussions about how government works and how citizens influence change.—
Karl W. Bickel,
Baltimore Sun,
24 Feb. 2026
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And more generally, Jim isn’t dismissing the presence of some bad loans within the private credit complex.—
Morgan Chittum,
CNBC,
21 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Once in place, this will allow staff to care for guests’ most delicate garments while reducing harmful emissions.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
22 Feb. 2026
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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,
22 Feb. 2026
Verb
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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,
27 Feb. 2026
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That doesn’t mean minimizing the danger.—
Andy Shaw,
Chicago Tribune,
27 Feb. 2026
Verb
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The idea of writing down your arguments came from a technique used by debaters.—
Jeff Banowetz,
Chicago Tribune,
18 Feb. 2026
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However, most companies would be writing down tens of millions on the film.—
Rebecca Rubin,
Variety,
11 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Sanchez started with a sheer white base for this extra-long manicure and finished it with a striking silver chrome tip, extended into a delicate line design running down each nail.—
Kara Jillian Brown,
InStyle,
26 Feb. 2026
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All of the snow over the past week, which helped struggling ski resorts around Lake Tahoe increase their totals, will slowly melt in late spring and summer, running down rivers, with some being captured in reservoirs.—
Paul Rogers,
Mercury News,
23 Feb. 2026
Verb
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The store is continually marking down wedding dresses and other items, with discounts currently reaching as high as 50% off.—
Jenna Thompson,
Kansas City Star,
25 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Forever captures the rush and confusion of first love without talking down to its audience.—
Okla Jones,
Essence,
14 Dec. 2025
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Never met someone successful ever talking down to someone online.—
Tracy Wright,
FOXNews.com,
21 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Our light is now diminishing from a vibrant flame to only a flicker of light, and the world is watching our demise.—
Letters to the Editor,
Hartford Courant,
20 Feb. 2026
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Read the story » More Top Stories David Remnick speaks with Conan O’Brien about prepping for the Oscars, the diminishing relevance of late-night TV, and the loss of his close friends Rob and Michele Reiner.—
Ruth Marcus,
New Yorker,
20 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Writing off.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/writing%20off. Accessed 28 Feb. 2026.
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