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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of break off
When winter ends, the dunes heat up, causing ice blocks to break off.
—
Chris Young, Interesting Engineering, 15 Oct. 2025
Weiss made a career for herself as an op-ed staff editor at The New York Times before breaking off from the mainstream publication in 2020 and launching the Free Press.
—Antonio Ferme, Variety, 14 Oct. 2025
Part of the helicopter broke off before the crash.
—Sydney Barragan, Oc Register, 12 Oct. 2025
According to the New York Post, visitors broke off parts of the headstone as souvenirs.
—Christopher Rudolph, PEOPLE, 8 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for break off
Chris Young, Interesting Engineering, 15 Oct. 2025
Weiss made a career for herself as an op-ed staff editor at The New York Times before breaking off from the mainstream publication in 2020 and launching the Free Press.
—Antonio Ferme, Variety, 14 Oct. 2025
Part of the helicopter broke off before the crash.
—Sydney Barragan, Oc Register, 12 Oct. 2025
According to the New York Post, visitors broke off parts of the headstone as souvenirs.
—Christopher Rudolph, PEOPLE, 8 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for break off
Recent Examples of Synonyms for break off
Verb
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The former instantly adds a second layer of security against unwanted guests, and the latter emits an ultra-loud alarm while acting like a door stop wedge, scaring off any stranger who tries to enter your room.—
Amelia McBride,
Travel + Leisure,
26 Oct. 2025
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And Los Angeles did not stop there.—
Jacob Lev,
CNN Money,
26 Oct. 2025
Verb
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The 3-0 defeat to Chelsea that ended Ange Postecoglou’s 39-day reign was their worst display in this respect.—
Anantaajith Raghuraman,
New York Times,
23 Oct. 2025
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In fact, all three women were heartbreakers — a major vibe shift after the two couples who broke up early this season ended because of the men.—
Sydney Bucksbaum,
Entertainment Weekly,
22 Oct. 2025
Verb
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In a filing on Friday, the nearly-defunct federal body sought summary judgment in NPR’s lawsuit against the organization over its decision to appropriate funding for satellite distribution to a select group of NPR member stations before the CPB ceases operations.—
Max Tani,
semafor.com,
27 Oct. 2025
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Congress failed to pass a budget or temporary funding measure before the federal fiscal year ended on October 1, forcing many federal agencies to cease all non-mandatory operations.—
Aliss Higham,
MSNBC Newsweek,
25 Oct. 2025
Verb
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The Sales Tax and Revenue, or STAR bonds incentive package was initially slated to expire in June.—
Kacen Bayless,
Kansas City Star,
23 Oct. 2025
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There are also concerns that government subsidies that helped Broadway theaters come back after more than a year-long closure has expired and may not be renewed.—
Brent Lang,
Variety,
23 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Play was not halted at any time while the man was being treated.—
CNN Money,
CNN Money,
28 Oct. 2025
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Beginning in May, after Israel halted all aid to Gaza for 11 weeks, the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation, a months-old nonprofit, became the primary food supplier in Gaza.—
Hana Kiros,
The Atlantic,
27 Oct. 2025
Verb
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The fourth inning started with a single by Kirk, concluding an eight-pitch at-bat immediately prior to Varsho’s homer.—
Ken Rosenthal,
New York Times,
25 Oct. 2025
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Archaeologists concluded the structure was actually a false tomb, or a cenotaph, a type of burial monument erected to honor a deceased person buried elsewhere.—
Aspen Pflughoeft,
Miami Herald,
24 Oct. 2025
Verb
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With his ferocious running style to his unwillingness to quit on a play, Skattebo has became an extremely player not just in New York, but across the league.—
Mark Kern,
MSNBC Newsweek,
27 Oct. 2025
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Ariana Grande is opening up about nearly quitting music.—
Mitchell Peters,
Billboard,
25 Oct. 2025
Verb
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But despite his entreaties, including meeting with Putin in Alaska, floating sanctions relief, and threatening to cut off aid to Kyiv, the Russian president has refused to be charmed into giving up on his invasion.—
Mira Rapp-Hooper,
Foreign Affairs,
29 Oct. 2025
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For all roses except climbing types, cut off the top third of the plant.—
Karen Brewer Grossman,
Southern Living,
28 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Break off.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/break%20off. Accessed 30 Oct. 2025.
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