1
as in ending
to bring (as an action or operation) to an immediate end
the majority party cut off debate and forced a vote on the bill
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in separating
to set or keep apart from others
the dog cut off the one sheep that had to be sheared
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of cutting off
The war has closed the Strait of Hormuz, effectively cutting off one-fifth of global oil and LNG supplies.
—
Megan Cerullo, CBS News, 24 Apr. 2026
The war has inflicted damage on the UAE’s energy infrastructure and blocked oil shipments through the Strait of Hormuz, cutting off a critical stream of dollar income.
—Maria Paula Mijares Torres, Fortune, 19 Apr. 2026
If this is the case, then cutting off the water supply to this waterfall — to fill a dam or for irrigation, which happens — could harm the fish.
—Ari Daniel, NPR, 5 Apr. 2026
Retail connections faded as foot traffic disappeared, cutting off communication with buyers.
—J.m. Banks
march 21, Kansas City Star, 21 Mar. 2026
Bloomberg | Bloomberg | Getty Images The United Arab Emirates is considering cutting off Iranian access to billions of dollars held in the Gulf state, the Wall Street Journal reported Thursday.
—Anniek Bao, CNBC, 6 Mar. 2026
And people very quickly begin to think about cutting off electricity, cutting off water, damage to their cities.
—ABC News, 1 Mar. 2026
Timing Tips For Trimming And Pruning Spring-flowering trees and shrubs should be pruned immediately after blooming to encourage more blooms for reblooming plants or to avoid cutting off buds that have set for next year’s blooms.
—Karen Brewer Grossman, Southern Living, 22 Feb. 2026
Tax the billionaires to pay for our monthly healthcare and childcare costs, ban private equity firms from buying our homes, lower energy costs by cutting off wasteful bitcoin and AI data centers.
—Rachel Royster, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 14 Feb. 2026
Megan Cerullo, CBS News, 24 Apr. 2026
The war has inflicted damage on the UAE’s energy infrastructure and blocked oil shipments through the Strait of Hormuz, cutting off a critical stream of dollar income.
—Maria Paula Mijares Torres, Fortune, 19 Apr. 2026
If this is the case, then cutting off the water supply to this waterfall — to fill a dam or for irrigation, which happens — could harm the fish.
—Ari Daniel, NPR, 5 Apr. 2026
Retail connections faded as foot traffic disappeared, cutting off communication with buyers.
—J.m. Banks
march 21, Kansas City Star, 21 Mar. 2026
Bloomberg | Bloomberg | Getty Images The United Arab Emirates is considering cutting off Iranian access to billions of dollars held in the Gulf state, the Wall Street Journal reported Thursday.
—Anniek Bao, CNBC, 6 Mar. 2026
And people very quickly begin to think about cutting off electricity, cutting off water, damage to their cities.
—ABC News, 1 Mar. 2026
Timing Tips For Trimming And Pruning Spring-flowering trees and shrubs should be pruned immediately after blooming to encourage more blooms for reblooming plants or to avoid cutting off buds that have set for next year’s blooms.
—Karen Brewer Grossman, Southern Living, 22 Feb. 2026
Tax the billionaires to pay for our monthly healthcare and childcare costs, ban private equity firms from buying our homes, lower energy costs by cutting off wasteful bitcoin and AI data centers.
—Rachel Royster, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 14 Feb. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for cutting off
Verb
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The Nats then went to the bullpen, ending his night at eight runs (four earned) on five hits over 4 2/3 innings.—
Abbey Mastracco,
New York Daily News,
29 Apr. 2026
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But it was retrieved and Oaks Christian’s runner was tagged out at the plate trying to score, ending the game.—
Eric Sondheimer,
Los Angeles Times,
29 Apr. 2026
Verb
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The distance separating Torrey Pines High School and Canyon Crest Academy along the California State Route 56 corridor is roughly 2½ miles.—
Don Norcross,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
2 May 2026
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The contact zone there spans the Danube, the river's width of around 1,640 feet -- less than three football fields -- separating Romania and its NATO defenses from the Ukrainian river ports that have for years been a focus of Russia's long-range drone and missile bombardments.—
David Brennan,
ABC News,
2 May 2026
Verb
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That led many to believe that, while treatments and crisis care are vital, the goal of suicide prevention needs to expand beyond stopping people from dying to also giving them reasons to live.—
Aneri Pattani,
CBS News,
28 Apr. 2026
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Bain walked purposefully, never slowing, never stopping — not even to size himself up in his new Bucs hat in the mirror — before striding onstage for a hug with the commissioner.—
Zak Keefer,
New York Times,
27 Apr. 2026
Verb
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The ship is now in the Atlantic off West Africa's island nation of Cape Verde, and the World Health Organization said passengers are isolating in their cabins.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
6 May 2026
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Health officials said passengers and crew members still on the ship are without symptoms and isolating in their cabins.—
Annie Risemberg,
Los Angeles Times,
6 May 2026
Verb
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His aversion to seeing the deficit widen further on the back of a bigger military bill highlights a phenomenon observed by historian Niall Ferguson, who has said any great power that spends more on debt servicing than on defense risks ceasing to be a great power.—
Jason Ma,
Fortune,
2 May 2026
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With this version of LIV Golf potentially ceasing to exist, and a potential player path back onto the PGA Tour a complete unknown, players could be scrambling to find their footing in the professional golf world for at least a brief period of time.—
Mark Harris OutKick,
FOXNews.com,
21 Apr. 2026
Verb
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The Chicago Transit Authority is resuming normal service on the Green Line, after halting service on its western section due to an unauthorized person on the tracks near the Damen stop.—
Todd Feurer,
CBS News,
5 May 2026
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In an apparent effort to dutifully execute his wishes, DOJ filed a motion demanding that District Judge Richard Leon dissolve his injunction halting the ballroom project.—
Quinta Jurecic,
The Atlantic,
3 May 2026
Verb
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Over a dozen people were arrested on suspicion of helping the escapees, including another inmate in the jail and a jail maintenance worker who is accused of shutting off water to the toilet, allowing escapees to remove it.—
Meredith Deliso,
ABC News,
30 Apr. 2026
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Their farewell message was accompanied by video of an employee shutting off the lights at the 7th Street location one last time.—
Tanasia Kenney,
Charlotte Observer,
29 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Snagless Ethernet cables have a protective cover over the plastic locking clip to keep it from accidentally getting caught on items and breaking off.—
BestReviews,
Chicago Tribune,
28 Apr. 2026
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The goldendoodle’s shoulder tap felt almost human in its politeness, and the woman’s response — smiling, breaking off a piece and blowing on it — felt effortlessly warm.—
Samantha Agate,
Miami Herald,
27 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Cutting off.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/cutting%20off. Accessed 8 May. 2026.
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