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
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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
When Zelensky visited the U.S. in late February, he was expected to sign off on a deal that would give the U.S. access to Kyiv’s critical mineral supply in exchange for some protection amid its war with Russia, but Trump called off talks after the two leaders clashed.
—
Alex Gangitano, The Hill, 25 Apr. 2025
The Argentinian Football Association called off all games on Monday to mourn the pope's passing.
—Morgan Winsor, ABC News, 21 Apr. 2025
In the face of mounting criticism and legal opposition, the proposal was ultimately called off on March 14, with the school district citing financial hurdles.
—Matthew Adams, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 28 Apr. 2025
The tariff overhang – a completely optional campaign to tax global production and supply-chain efficiency that can be called off any time by one man – mocks efforts to offer good forecasts.
—Michael Santoli, CNBC, 26 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for call off
Alex Gangitano, The Hill, 25 Apr. 2025
The Argentinian Football Association called off all games on Monday to mourn the pope's passing.
—Morgan Winsor, ABC News, 21 Apr. 2025
In the face of mounting criticism and legal opposition, the proposal was ultimately called off on March 14, with the school district citing financial hurdles.
—Matthew Adams, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 28 Apr. 2025
The tariff overhang – a completely optional campaign to tax global production and supply-chain efficiency that can be called off any time by one man – mocks efforts to offer good forecasts.
—Michael Santoli, CNBC, 26 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for call off
Recent Examples of Synonyms for call off
Verb
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That’s four clubs who are, to varying degrees, distracted from league football.—
Sam Tighe,
New York Times,
2 May 2025
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Photo: Google Maps Another theory: The glittering Emmys hardly distract from $6.495 million’s worth of truly great bones.—
Adriane Quinlan,
Curbed,
2 May 2025
Verb
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The Trump administration is facing another legal challenge over its immigration policies, after it was reported Temporary Protected Status (TPS) would be cancelled for thousands of Afghans and Cameroonians.—
Dan Gooding,
MSNBC Newsweek,
9 May 2025
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Critical research trials have already been canceled midstream.—
Karen Weintraub,
USA Today,
9 May 2025
Verb
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The barriers and dams also diverted the lava flow towards a safe direction.—
Monica Cull,
Discover Magazine,
9 May 2025
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Dozens of flights were diverted that afternoon, including to Allentown and Philadelphia.—
Daniel Wood,
New York Times,
9 May 2025
Verb
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Republicans who fall for this scheme are abandoning any pretense of free-market principles.—
Sally Pipes,
Forbes.com,
3 May 2025
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Even before Trump’s inauguration, Facebook owner Meta abandoned its practice of considering diverse candidates for open roles.—
Jessica Guynn,
USA Today,
2 May 2025
Verb
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Negan is a little bit thrown off having Lucille back in his life.—
Rafa Sales Ross,
Variety,
2 May 2025
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To be clear, this isn’t just a handful of companies throwing off the average.—
Tomas Gorny,
Forbes.com,
28 Apr. 2025
Verb
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The decision to scrap the AI diffusion rule, on the other hand, is a helpful one in the short run — reflected by Nvidia’s 3% pop in the final hour of trading Wednesday.—
Kevin Stankiewicz,
CNBC,
8 May 2025
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The Space Launch System (SLS) moon rocket and the Orion spacecraft, both in development in one form or another since 2006, and both intended for crewed travel to the moon, will be scrapped too.—
Jeffrey Kluger,
Time,
6 May 2025
Verb
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If you are stopped by law enforcement for driving under the influence of intoxicants, the California Department of Motor Vehicles has the authority to revoke or suspend your driving privilege.—
Sarah Linn,
Sacbee.com,
7 May 2025
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The Treasury Department, meanwhile, has reportedly started the process of revoking the school's tax-exempt status.—
Joshua Rhett Miller,
MSNBC Newsweek,
7 May 2025
Verb
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Then, on May 1, SpaceX aborted a six-engine test-firing before reaching its planned 60-second duration.—
ArsTechnica,
ArsTechnica,
13 May 2025
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In any event, Lewis aborted his bid after Bezos hired him to run the Washington Post.—
Clare Malone,
New Yorker,
12 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Call off.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/call%20off. Accessed 19 May. 2025.
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