1
as in ending
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 stopping
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 breaking off
Once enough cars have sped over these fissures, chunks begin breaking off to create those infamous potholes that pop tires and ruin shocks.
—
Andrew Paul, Popular Science, 29 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
Lopez and Affleck, one of the quintessential pop culture couples of the early 2000s, famously rekindled their romance in 2021 and wed the following year, two decades after breaking off their first engagement in late 2002.
—Jessica Wang, Entertainment Weekly, 6 Oct. 2025
After breaking off the engagement, Cochran said, Glison had moved to the apartment complex to get away from him.
—Samira Asma-Sadeque, PEOPLE, 24 Sep. 2025
Johnson then carried the ball on the last four plays, breaking off carries of eight, nine and 10 yards.
—Patrick Z. McGavin, Chicago Tribune, 30 Aug. 2025
After breaking off her first engagement with Affleck in 2004, the singer went on to marry singer-songwriter Marc Anthony.
—Ariana Quihuiz, People.com, 24 Aug. 2025
An individual was treated for injuries in connection with an incident involving acrylic glass breaking off of a water slide, a Royal Caribbean Group spokesperson indicated in a statement to Fox News Digital.
—Alex Nitzberg, FOXNews.com, 8 Aug. 2025
Andrew Paul, Popular Science, 29 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
Lopez and Affleck, one of the quintessential pop culture couples of the early 2000s, famously rekindled their romance in 2021 and wed the following year, two decades after breaking off their first engagement in late 2002.
—Jessica Wang, Entertainment Weekly, 6 Oct. 2025
After breaking off the engagement, Cochran said, Glison had moved to the apartment complex to get away from him.
—Samira Asma-Sadeque, PEOPLE, 24 Sep. 2025
Johnson then carried the ball on the last four plays, breaking off carries of eight, nine and 10 yards.
—Patrick Z. McGavin, Chicago Tribune, 30 Aug. 2025
After breaking off her first engagement with Affleck in 2004, the singer went on to marry singer-songwriter Marc Anthony.
—Ariana Quihuiz, People.com, 24 Aug. 2025
An individual was treated for injuries in connection with an incident involving acrylic glass breaking off of a water slide, a Royal Caribbean Group spokesperson indicated in a statement to Fox News Digital.
—Alex Nitzberg, FOXNews.com, 8 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for breaking off
Verb
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Ohtani had reached base safely a World Series-record 11 consecutive times after walking in the first inning, but Blue Jays pitcher Shane Bieber struck him out in the third inning, ending the impressive streak.—
Wayne Sterling,
CNN Money,
29 Oct. 2025
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The birthing experience was a surprising, but happy ending to an easy pregnancy.—
Sam Gillette,
PEOPLE,
28 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Sabatini said that former President Ronald Reagan's doctrine included intervening on behalf of and supporting military governments with the intention of stopping the spread of communism.—
Brendan Cole,
MSNBC Newsweek,
25 Oct. 2025
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Sabres goalie Alex Lyon had about as much chance of stopping the shot as an extra-large pepperoni and bacon stood of surviving a Friday night in the Kloke household.—
Joshua Kloke,
New York Times,
25 Oct. 2025
Verb
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But what was accomplished from the meeting remains unclear as Russia increased its aerial bombardment on Ukraine rather than ceasing military operations following the talks.—
Caitlin McFall,
FOXNews.com,
17 Oct. 2025
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And calling for a ceasefire means ceasing fire.—
Andrew Stanton,
MSNBC Newsweek,
17 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Policyholders with expiring contracts could lose coverage and funds to pay claims have dropped $30 billion due to the shutdown.—
The NPR Network,
NPR,
30 Oct. 2025
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That's because funding for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, or SNAP, is expiring for the first time in history.—
Zachary Schermele,
USA Today,
30 Oct. 2025
Verb
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The Miccosukee Tribe of Indians and environmental advocacy group the Friends of the Everglades filed an early lawsuit that resulted in halting the construction of Alligator Alcatraz, arguing that the facility harms the fragile ecosystem of the Everglades.—
Miami Herald,
Miami Herald,
24 Oct. 2025
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In January, Lau entered a Rule 11 agreement with Paxton, halting her from practicing.—
Mandy Taheri,
MSNBC Newsweek,
24 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Williams, while concluding the trial, brought up the incident and accused Dennis of felonies, the lawsuit says.—
Julia Marnin,
Miami Herald,
28 Oct. 2025
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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
Verb
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Per the trailer, the duo decide that her hair must go and end up shaving it off — a drastic change that Stone embraced, cutting off her naturally blond locks for the role.—
Shania Russell,
Entertainment Weekly,
19 Oct. 2025
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It was recently revealed that Andrew lied about cutting off his relationship with Epstein.—
Meredith Kile,
PEOPLE,
17 Oct. 2025
Verb
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The plan discussed in committee would also create parameters for providers shutting off water service to residents.—
Arpan Lobo,
Freep.com,
29 Oct. 2025
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At one point, customers heard a rumor that SDG&E was shutting off electricity to the building — an alarming development that would have left the business’s freezers without power.—
Karen Kucher,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
19 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Breaking off.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/breaking%20off. Accessed 1 Nov. 2025.
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