1
as in to distract
to draw the attention or mind to something else
she was about to tell me the big news when her attention was called off by the arrival of another guest
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to cancel
to put an end to (something planned or previously agreed to)
called off the party after half of those invited couldn't make it
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of call off
However, along the journey, several couples decided to call off their engagement.
—
Caroline Blair, PEOPLE, 22 Oct. 2025
The next day — after a night out with Maidenberg and their fellow cast members — Ferrucci called off an engagement for the second time in his life.
—Jennifer Zhan, Vulture, 21 Oct. 2025
The clash of views and the depth of the politics involved was further underlined by Ayoub Khan, a member of parliament for the Birmingham Perry Barr constituency, signing a petition calling for the game to be called off, staged in a neutral country or held without an away crowd.
—Phil Hay, New York Times, 17 Oct. 2025
The president also reportedly called off efforts to reach a diplomatic solution with Venezuela.
—MSNBC Newsweek, 16 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for call off
Caroline Blair, PEOPLE, 22 Oct. 2025
The next day — after a night out with Maidenberg and their fellow cast members — Ferrucci called off an engagement for the second time in his life.
—Jennifer Zhan, Vulture, 21 Oct. 2025
The clash of views and the depth of the politics involved was further underlined by Ayoub Khan, a member of parliament for the Birmingham Perry Barr constituency, signing a petition calling for the game to be called off, staged in a neutral country or held without an away crowd.
—Phil Hay, New York Times, 17 Oct. 2025
The president also reportedly called off efforts to reach a diplomatic solution with Venezuela.
—MSNBC Newsweek, 16 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for call off
Recent Examples of Synonyms for call off
Verb
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While some critics are skeptical of the claims amid a lack of publicly available evidence – suggesting instead that they are meant to distract from growing public discontent and protests against Noboa’s government – the president insisted to CNN the threat was real.—
Max Saltman,
CNN Money,
24 Oct. 2025
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What Wednesday evening’s triumph also does is quieten the distracting outside noise that such a newsworthy club invariably attracts.—
Richard Sutcliffe,
New York Times,
23 Oct. 2025
Verb
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The Barca and Madrid reactions to the Miami game being cancelled was certainly divergent, and there will be lingering tension in the Bernabeu’s VIP areas on Sunday.—
Dermot Corrigan,
New York Times,
25 Oct. 2025
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The principal didn’t immediately realize the alert had been canceled, a spokesperson for Baltimore County Public Schools told WBAL.—
Karina Tsui,
CNN Money,
25 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Following the crash, the Kendall County Sheriff’s Office announced on Facebook that the westbound lane of I-10 near the 534-mile marker was closed and that traffic was being diverted.—
Sam Gillette,
PEOPLE,
29 Oct. 2025
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The flight was diverted to Boston Logan International Airport, and Usiripalli was taken into custody.—
Cindy Von Quednow,
CNN Money,
28 Oct. 2025
Verb
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In 2022, Fox Weather had reported that United Airlines would abandon its request for passengers to open window shades upon landing after quietly beginning to encourage it in 2020.—
Staff Author,
PEOPLE,
31 Oct. 2025
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Weekly Newsletter Hamida’s first such meeting is with a twelve-year-old Hindu girl named Kammo, whose father abandoned her after the death of her mother.—
JSTOR Daily,
JSTOR Daily,
30 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Worse, the aluminum has a tendency to throw off fragments when struck, producing more debris, which is rather counterproductive.—
David Szondy
October 26,
New Atlas,
26 Oct. 2025
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The latter was looking to win a throw off the former with his clearance, but Aaronson managed to divert it back off the defender for a Leeds ball.—
Beren Cross,
New York Times,
25 Oct. 2025
Verb
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The number of Chinese students enrolled at US universities has fallen by more than 25% from its peak in the 2019-2020 school year, and reversing that trend will take more than just scrapping an export control backlist.—
Gina Chon,
semafor.com,
29 Oct. 2025
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During the 16-day government shutdown of 2013, President Barack Obama scrapped a four-country Asia trip and skipped the swanky Congressional Hispanic Caucus gala.—
Eleanor Pringle,
Fortune,
29 Oct. 2025
Verb
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As a result, the Miss Universe Organization revoked her title for breaching contractual obligations by competing in another external pageant before finishing her reign.—
Tabitha Parent,
PEOPLE,
29 Oct. 2025
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State officials revoked multiple licenses connected to Devastating and another firm on the Esparto site, BlackStar Fireworks, following the explosion.—
Daniel Lempres,
Sacbee.com,
28 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Washington — The first officer of a United Express flight that ran off the end of a wet runway in Roanoke, Virginia last month tried to get the captain to abort the landing twice, investigators say.—
Pete Muntean,
CNN Money,
22 Oct. 2025
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As the youngest of four with an alcoholic father, his family struggled so much financially that his mother wanted to abort him.—
Preston Fore,
Fortune,
8 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Call off.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/call%20off. Accessed 31 Oct. 2025.
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