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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His double in the final — a cheeky free kick and a left-footed volley at the back-post — officially took his tournament tally up to five, but the Famalicao forward saw three further shots diverted into the net for own goals.—
Thom Harris,
New York Times,
23 Oct. 2025
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The plan included launching a mobile booking station to quickly issue citations, stricter curfew and firearm enforcement, and increasing police presence by diverting patrol officers to high-traffic entertainment areas.—
Angelika Ytuarte,
jsonline.com,
22 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Her motive for abandoning her daughter is unclear at this time.—
Madison E. Goldberg,
PEOPLE,
23 Oct. 2025
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Around 100 pairs were found abandoned on the roof, perhaps due to the thieves being frightened away, Sheriff John Budensiek said at the news conference.—
Mark Price,
Miami Herald,
23 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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Trump abruptly scrapped the negotiations in response to an ad against tariffs that featured clips of former President Ronald Reagan run by Ontario's provincial government, led by Premier Doug Ford.—
Shane Croucher,
MSNBC Newsweek,
27 Oct. 2025
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Several Democrats said Trump should have scrapped the trip and stayed in Washington in an effort to negotiate an end to the shutdown.—
James Powel,
USA Today,
26 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 30 Oct. 2025.
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