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
The frantic search for a Norwegian Cruise Line passenger who went overboard has been called off.
—
Sarah Rumpf-Whitten, Fox News, 28 Dec. 2024
Young formed the Chrome Hearts earlier this year after he was forced to prematurely call off his summer tour with Crazy Horse due to an undisclosed health situation.
—Andy Greene, Rolling Stone, 28 Dec. 2024
The maneuver, which has only been pulled off once during the October demonstration, was called off in the most recent test in November, which President-elect Donald Trump attended.
—Eric Lagatta, USA TODAY, 11 Jan. 2025
In the Greenbrier case, $49 billion New York City private equity firm Fortress Investment Group bought the $20 million defaulted loan (which is junior to Carter’s claims) and called off the resort’s auction.
—Christopher Helman, Forbes, 10 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for call off 
Sarah Rumpf-Whitten, Fox News, 28 Dec. 2024
Young formed the Chrome Hearts earlier this year after he was forced to prematurely call off his summer tour with Crazy Horse due to an undisclosed health situation.
—Andy Greene, Rolling Stone, 28 Dec. 2024
The maneuver, which has only been pulled off once during the October demonstration, was called off in the most recent test in November, which President-elect Donald Trump attended.
—Eric Lagatta, USA TODAY, 11 Jan. 2025
In the Greenbrier case, $49 billion New York City private equity firm Fortress Investment Group bought the $20 million defaulted loan (which is junior to Carter’s claims) and called off the resort’s auction.
—Christopher Helman, Forbes, 10 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for call off
Recent Examples of Synonyms for call off
Verb
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As a result, too many of the Syrians who should be rebuilding their country for the better are distracted by poverty and shut out of power.—
Fawaz A. Gerges,
Foreign Affairs,
27 Jan. 2025
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The scene grows more and more chaotic: Simons is easily distracted by pieces of the set and cannot seem to follow his director’s cues.—
Luke Chinman,
People.com,
27 Jan. 2025
Verb
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His input as captain goes into the decision to cancel morning skates, to cancel practices.—
Arpon Basu,
The Athletic,
20 Jan. 2025
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SpaceX is developing the Starship system, which could provide a reusable alternative, but moves to cancel SLS — which has been criticized over unsustainable costs and numerous delays and quality control on the part of lead contractor Boeing — will likely face resistance.—
Andrew Jones,
Space.com,
20 Jan. 2025
Verb
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Created in the wake of the 9/11 attacks, Prevent tries to intervene in the lives of people suspected of being vulnerable to radicalization, with the hope of diverting them from possible terrorism.—
Megan Specia,
New York Times,
21 Jan. 2025
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Three planes were diverted away from Kazan while the restrictions were in place, the airport said.—
David Brennan,
ABC News,
20 Jan. 2025
Verb
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The emaciated bulldog — just 23 pounds with his ribs visible — had been stuffed inside the bag and abandoned along an Iowa roadway, according to the Des Moines Police Department.—
Mike Stunson,
Kansas City Star,
29 Jan. 2025
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Petey the Cat abandons Lil Petey on the street, and Grampa Petey is condescending and steals from his son.—
Lynnette Nicholas,
Parents,
29 Jan. 2025
Verb
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Several key mistakes could throw off the accuracy of blood pressure readings for people who take them at home.—
Melissa Rudy,
Fox News,
12 Jan. 2025
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Some of these Californians in homes that burnt like this were thrown off of their policies, their fire policies – GOV.—
NBC News,
NBC News,
12 Jan. 2025
Verb
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North Carolina’s bill was met with such anger on behalf of the LGBTQ community that some elements were quickly scrapped, and the remainder was left to lapse in 2020.—
The Editors,
JSTOR Daily,
22 Jan. 2025
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But when Trump scrapped many of the nation’s climate pledges, it was met with intense backlash.—
Tony Briscoe,
Los Angeles Times,
21 Jan. 2025
Verb
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The legal authority to revoke birthright citizenship is a matter of significant debate.—
Justin Gest,
Newsweek,
21 Jan. 2025
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The order particularly directs the Interior Department to reinstate drillings rights there that were revoked under the Biden administration and seeks to review a lease sale there by the Biden administration that ultimately flopped.—
Rachel Frazin,
The Hill,
21 Jan. 2025
Verb
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The New Glenn launch was initially scheduled for Monday, but the attempt was aborted after ice built up on a plumbing line connected to the rocket’s auxiliary power-unit.—
Siladitya Ray,
Forbes,
16 Jan. 2025
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Her telling Chef Matthew Shea that his parents should have aborted him?—
Brian Moylan,
Vulture,
31 Dec. 2024
Thesaurus Entries Near call off
Cite this Entry
“Call off.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/call%20off. Accessed 1 Feb. 2025.
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