break off
verb
broke off; broken off; breaking off; breaks off
1
: to stop abruptly
break off in the middle of a sentence
2
: to become detached
branches that broke off in the storm
3
: to end a relationship
broke off with his business partner
1
: discontinue
break off diplomatic relations
2
: to remove by or as if by breaking
broke off a chunk of bread
Synonyms
Examples of break off in a Sentence
the judge broke off court proceedings until after lunch
talks between the two sides broke off when one began making unreasonable demands
Recent Examples on the Web
Last year, the two countries broke off diplomatic relations following Noboa’s order of a raid on the Mexican embassy in Quito, Ecuador to arrest Jorge Glas, a former Ecuadorean vice president.
—
Anna Cooban, CNN, 3 Feb. 2025
Although its nose had been broken off, the statue of a man’s head still showed remarkable detail.
—Eli Wizevich, Smithsonian Magazine, 28 Jan. 2025
All of a sudden, all his nails were broken off, and his ears started balding.
—Barbara A. Perry, Newsweek, 27 Jan. 2025
But Edwards threw the pass to Randle, then paused only briefly before breaking off the play, instead running to the forward to retrieve the ball.
—Jace Frederick, Twin Cities, 12 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for break off 
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Anna Cooban, CNN, 3 Feb. 2025
Although its nose had been broken off, the statue of a man’s head still showed remarkable detail.
—Eli Wizevich, Smithsonian Magazine, 28 Jan. 2025
All of a sudden, all his nails were broken off, and his ears started balding.
—Barbara A. Perry, Newsweek, 27 Jan. 2025
But Edwards threw the pass to Randle, then paused only briefly before breaking off the play, instead running to the forward to retrieve the ball.
—Jace Frederick, Twin Cities, 12 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for break off
Dictionary Entries Near break off
Cite this Entry
“Break off.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/break%20off. Accessed 9 Feb. 2025.
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