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
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of break off
Microplastics, minuscule bits of plastic that break off of larger products, are smaller than a pencil eraser, measuring less than 5 millimeters.
—
Lianne Kolirin, CNN Money, 1 July 2025
The bucket then collapsed, leaving the worker dangling upside down from his harness as the crane arm partially broke off.
—Charlotte Phillipp, People.com, 28 June 2025
Some United Nations troops broke off from the convoy and crossed the frozen reservoir to the Marine base’s safety.
—Ishani Desai, Sacbee.com, 19 June 2025
Machine Gun Kelly and Megan Fox broke off their two-year engagement in November of 2024, just weeks after announcing Fox’s pregnancy.
—Kathleen Walsh, Glamour, 18 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for break off
Lianne Kolirin, CNN Money, 1 July 2025
The bucket then collapsed, leaving the worker dangling upside down from his harness as the crane arm partially broke off.
—Charlotte Phillipp, People.com, 28 June 2025
Some United Nations troops broke off from the convoy and crossed the frozen reservoir to the Marine base’s safety.
—Ishani Desai, Sacbee.com, 19 June 2025
Machine Gun Kelly and Megan Fox broke off their two-year engagement in November of 2024, just weeks after announcing Fox’s pregnancy.
—Kathleen Walsh, Glamour, 18 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for break off
Recent Examples of Synonyms for break off
Verb
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Shortly after Braun’s executive order, the Indiana Department of Health told local health departments to stop accepting requests to change genders on birth certificates.—
Marissa Meador,
IndyStar,
24 July 2025
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But, the good news, Wolf says, is that steroid treatments can stop the progression of the disease.—
Wendy Grossman Kantor,
People.com,
23 July 2025
Verb
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Last year, Kennedy ended his independent bid for president during an Arizona visit and endorsed President Donald Trump.—
Stephanie Murray,
AZCentral.com,
22 July 2025
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Megan and Thompson ended the workout by helping each other stretch and giving each other a kiss.—
Vanessa Etienne,
People.com,
21 July 2025
Verb
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Nissan Stadium's weather policy states that if lightning strikes within eight miles of the stage, the venue must cease the concert and ask show-goers to shelter in place.—
Melonee Hurt,
The Tennessean,
18 July 2025
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Parrot Jungle ceased operations in Pinecrest and its birds and staff made the move to Miami with the opening of Jungle Island in 2003.—
Howard Cohen,
Miami Herald,
18 July 2025
Verb
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This week, Alina Habba, who was among Trump’s most notoriously combative criminal defense lawyers, is a likely casualty: Judges in New Jersey are nearly certain to nix any extension of her expiring interim term as the district’s U.S. attorney.—
Andrew C. McCarthy,
National Review,
21 July 2025
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Third-quarter sales may spike before federal tax credit expires (Cox Automotive) GM to make lower-cost battery cells at Tennessee plant.—
Alan Ohnsman,
Forbes.com,
21 July 2025
Verb
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Due to the storm damage, the city of Plainfield said that its city pools and parks are closed on Tuesday for inspection and safety assessment, while services at the Plainfield Senior Center are halted.—
David Chiu,
People.com,
15 July 2025
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In an unsigned order on Monday, the top court temporarily lifted a lower court ruling from May that indefinitely paused the layoffs and reinstated those who were let go, while also halting President Donald Trump’s Executive Order from March which called for the department to be closed down.—
Chad de Guzman,
Time,
15 July 2025
Verb
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Johnson concluded that the program breached a guideline on accuracy, which deals with misleading audiences.—
Lily Ford,
HollywoodReporter,
14 July 2025
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If no calls or texts appear during the relevant timeframe, many conclude the driver wasn't distracted.—
Lars Daniel,
Forbes.com,
14 July 2025
Verb
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Money has also been spent on nongovernmental organization programs that hand out clean needles and crack pipes as part of progressive harm reduction policies instead of encouraging homeless drug users to quit.—
Barnini Chakraborty,
The Washington Examiner,
14 July 2025
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Although the overall unemployment rate is just 4.1%, few people are quitting jobs today, and employers are skittish about hiring.—
Scott Horsley,
NPR,
13 July 2025
Verb
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There are now more than 1 billion Android devices that fall foul of Google’s cutting off security updates for Android 12 and older phones, and also from its tweaking its Play Integrity API to disfavor apps running on these unsupported versions of the OS.—
Zak Doffman,
Forbes.com,
15 July 2025
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Wendy's breakfast items are not available all day, so customers looking for a boost of protein before a morning workout or workday should stop by before 10:30 a.m. for most locations (though some cut off breakfast sooner or later).—
Sabrina Weiss,
People.com,
14 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Break off.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/break%20off. Accessed 29 Jul. 2025.
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