break off
verb
broke off; broken off; breaking off; breaks off
1
: to stop abruptly
break off in the middle of a sentence
2
: to become detached
branches that broke off in the storm
3
: to end a relationship
broke off with his business partner
1
: discontinue
break off diplomatic relations
2
: to remove by or as if by breaking
broke off a chunk of bread
Synonyms
Examples of break off in a Sentence
the judge broke off court proceedings until after lunch
talks between the two sides broke off when one began making unreasonable demands
Recent Examples on the Web
Unsecured lightweight objects will be blown around, large tree limbs may break off, and damage to porches, sheds and unanchored mobile homes is possible, NWS says.
—
Carlie Kollath Wells, Axios, 9 Sep. 2024
During a recent expedition to the Titanic shipwreck, explorers discovered that part of the vessel’s iconic bow-deck railing had broken off, People reported on Tuesday.
—Tori Latham, Robb Report, 3 Sep. 2024
Everyone was pleasantly surprised to realize that the electricity of this dynamic was even stronger than when Michael J. Fox was the bad guy, and the Kings understandably steered into this idea by setting up a new storyline where several characters broke off to start their own firm.
—Alan Sepinwall, Rolling Stone, 12 July 2024
Located on the popular Devils Garden Trail, the arch was known to have precarious support – a slab of rock broke off and fell nearly 40 years earlier, according to the Utah Geological Survey.
—Cybele Mayes-Osterman, USA TODAY, 14 Aug. 2024
See all Example Sentences for break off 
Carlie Kollath Wells, Axios, 9 Sep. 2024
During a recent expedition to the Titanic shipwreck, explorers discovered that part of the vessel’s iconic bow-deck railing had broken off, People reported on Tuesday.
—Tori Latham, Robb Report, 3 Sep. 2024
Everyone was pleasantly surprised to realize that the electricity of this dynamic was even stronger than when Michael J. Fox was the bad guy, and the Kings understandably steered into this idea by setting up a new storyline where several characters broke off to start their own firm.
—Alan Sepinwall, Rolling Stone, 12 July 2024
Located on the popular Devils Garden Trail, the arch was known to have precarious support – a slab of rock broke off and fell nearly 40 years earlier, according to the Utah Geological Survey.
—Cybele Mayes-Osterman, USA TODAY, 14 Aug. 2024
See all Example Sentences for break off
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'break off.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near break off
Cite this Entry
“Break off.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/break%20off. Accessed 1 Oct. 2024.
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