1
as in to stop
to bring (as an action or operation) to an immediate end
the judge broke off court proceedings until after lunch
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to end
to come to an end
talks between the two sides broke off when one began making unreasonable demands
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of break off
What is currently the countries of Djibouti, Ethiopia, and Eritrea could be slowly moving away from the rest of the continent, eventually breaking off and allowing water from the Indian Ocean to rush in to fill the gap.
—
Katie Nadworny, Travel + Leisure, 14 May 2025
In the aftermath, KTLA reported that there was noticeable damage to the front gate of the residence, with the retractable arm broken off behind the gate.
—Natalie Oganesyan, Deadline, 5 May 2025
During the 2002 or 2003 competition, Chris Sharma first sent a 14-foot overhang called Captain Hook (V12), but since then, a crucial hold had broken off.
—Sam MacIlwaine, Outside Online, 4 May 2025
Just like gel nails, nail strips are cured with a UV light and can last up to two weeks without chipping or breaking off.
—Kleigh Balugo, StyleCaster, 1 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for break off
Katie Nadworny, Travel + Leisure, 14 May 2025
In the aftermath, KTLA reported that there was noticeable damage to the front gate of the residence, with the retractable arm broken off behind the gate.
—Natalie Oganesyan, Deadline, 5 May 2025
During the 2002 or 2003 competition, Chris Sharma first sent a 14-foot overhang called Captain Hook (V12), but since then, a crucial hold had broken off.
—Sam MacIlwaine, Outside Online, 4 May 2025
Just like gel nails, nail strips are cured with a UV light and can last up to two weeks without chipping or breaking off.
—Kleigh Balugo, StyleCaster, 1 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for break off
Recent Examples of Synonyms for break off
Verb
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The chase reportedly ended when Buckley wrecked near the intersection of Watts and McAlister streets, an area of mostly forest about 1 1/2 miles southeast of where Buckley was first stopped.—
Grant Lancaster,
Arkansas Online,
25 May 2025
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It's been hard for any team to stop Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, who was named the regular season MVP.—
Tyler Everett,
MSNBC Newsweek,
24 May 2025
Verb
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The new legislation is the latest in a flurry of bills introduced by Democratic lawmakers aimed at ending the ability of presidents and members of Congress to own or oversee businesses that issue or promote crypto products.—
Michelle Conlin,
USA Today,
23 May 2025
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In his latest Oval Office event this week, Trump ambushed South African President Cyril Ramaphosa — who once served as Nelson Mandela’s chief negotiator during talks to end White minority rule — with false claims about White South African farmers being victims of genocide.—
Jade Walker,
CNN Money,
22 May 2025
Verb
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Yet, for some time now, there has been a third movement that tends to be articulated more in art than elsewhere, even if elsewhere there has long since ceased to be any alternative.—
Diedrich Diederichsen,
Artforum,
1 June 2025
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The mayor also said that late-night establishments and all nightclubs must cease operations at midnight.—
Becca Longmire,
People.com,
30 May 2025
Verb
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Means' Oregon medical license expired in 2019 and was moved to inactive in January 2024.—
Joey Garrison,
USA Today,
23 May 2025
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The team’s current stadium lease expires after the 2028 season.—
Zac Jackson,
New York Times,
22 May 2025
Verb
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The administration could ask the Supreme Court to halt the ruling as early as Friday.—
Alex Harring,Sawdah Bhaimiya,
CNBC,
29 May 2025
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The ruling halted a 30% tariff on China, a 25% tariff on certain goods from Mexico and Canada, and 10% baseline tariffs on most of the rest of the world, but did not affect import taxes on steel, aluminum, or automakers, which Trump levied under a different law.—
Solcyré Burga,
Time,
29 May 2025
Verb
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As the in-person portion of this year’s milestone edition concludes, Animayo continues to cement its reputation as a global hub for creative innovation, storytelling, and visual excellence.—
Jamie Lang,
Variety,
29 May 2025
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When this period of rapid expansion concludes, Nvidia’s valuation will likely drop significantly.—
Trefis Team,
Forbes.com,
29 May 2025
Verb
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For example, quitting is one of the hardest moments to avoid tears.—
Dr. Diane Hamilton,
Forbes.com,
28 May 2025
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Five years ago, the mother made a drastic choice to sell her house, quit her job, and embark on a global adventure, dismissing any concerns for the future of her financial security.—
Ashley Vega,
People.com,
24 May 2025
Verb
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The final week of the regular session left Democrats angry with Republicans over the majority party’s decision to cut off multiple filibusters.—
Jonathan Shorman,
Kansas City Star,
28 May 2025
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To do so, the EU could cut off the remaining imports of Russian pipeline gas and LNG.—
David McHugh,
Los Angeles Times,
28 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Break off.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/break%20off. Accessed 5 Jun. 2025.
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