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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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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Examples Sentences
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Recent Examples of call off
Court was set to resume at 3 p.m. on October 28 but was called off.
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Justin Curto, Vulture, 4 Nov. 2024
The two reconciled for their anniversary in January 2017 but subsequently broke up and called off the engagement by February.
—Gordon G. Chang, Newsweek, 1 Nov. 2024
Zoë Kravitz and Channing Tatum have reportedly split and called off their engagement.
—Zoe G. Phillips, The Hollywood Reporter, 30 Oct. 2024
But after a federal judge blocked the merger over concerns that the combination of the two budget airlines would be anti-competitive, Spirit and JetBlue called off their $3.8 billion deal this past March.
—Quartz Staff, Quartz, 13 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for call off 
Justin Curto, Vulture, 4 Nov. 2024
The two reconciled for their anniversary in January 2017 but subsequently broke up and called off the engagement by February.
—Gordon G. Chang, Newsweek, 1 Nov. 2024
Zoë Kravitz and Channing Tatum have reportedly split and called off their engagement.
—Zoe G. Phillips, The Hollywood Reporter, 30 Oct. 2024
But after a federal judge blocked the merger over concerns that the combination of the two budget airlines would be anti-competitive, Spirit and JetBlue called off their $3.8 billion deal this past March.
—Quartz Staff, Quartz, 13 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for call off
Recent Examples of Synonyms for call off
Verb
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Russia is distracted with Ukraine and unable — or unwilling — to devote significant military resources, while Iran and Hezbollah are still reeling from Israel’s campaign against the Lebanese militant group.Nabih Bulos, Los Angeles Times, 5 Dec. 2024
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A little feel-good action plan will help keep you calm (and distracted) in the meantime.Julia Ries, SELF, 4 Dec. 2024
Verb
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Michael Levin, 'Ryan's Hope' Soap Opera Star, Dead at 90 Gallagher stayed with the show until it was canceled in 1989 and won three Daytime Emmys for her role.Victoria Edel, People.com, 27 Nov. 2024
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Sadly, politically mixed families have canceled or cut short their Thanksgiving dinners in recent years after contentious elections.Michael Morris, TIME, 27 Nov. 2024
Verb
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Syrian government authorities diverted traffic from that highway Thursday.SARAH EL DEEB THE ASSOCIATED PRESS, arkansasonline.com, 30 Nov. 2024
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Syrian government authorities had diverted traffic from that highway Thursday.Sarah el Deeb, Los Angeles Times, 29 Nov. 2024
Verb
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In 2018, Business Insider reported that the iconic 300,000-square-foot Lisa Frank factory in Tucson was abandoned and for sale for $17 million.Emily Blackwood, People.com, 6 Dec. 2024
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Context: Some public health officials warned that the federal response to the bird flu, already lacking in the Biden administration, could be abandoned during President-elect Trump's presidency.April Rubin, Axios, 6 Dec. 2024
Verb
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And the expectation that Iranians, Lebanese, Palestinians, and Yemenis are going to rise up immediately and throw off the yoke of their brutal oppressors seems more like wishful thinking than informed analysis.Shalom Lipner, Foreign Affairs, 25 Nov. 2024
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In 2012, cable networks threw off a robust $3.3 billion in cash flow.Meg James, Los Angeles Times, 21 Nov. 2024
Verb
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But the crisis caused by Rodri’s injury and a lack of proper planning means this winter, that strategy may need scrapping.Steve Price, Forbes, 27 Nov. 2024
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According to Reuters, President-elect 's incoming administration plans to scrap a $7,500 consumer tax credit for electric vehicles introduced by President 's administration as part of its Inflation Reduction Act.James Bickerton, Newsweek, 26 Nov. 2024
Verb
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Trump went on to say that the tariffs will only be revoked once the countries address an alleged flux of drugs and migrants coming to America from their sides of the borders.Ryan Hogg, Fortune, 27 Nov. 2024
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Upon hearing on August 21st that the Texas Department of Public Safety quietly revoked the ability to change your gender on driver’s licenses and birth certificates, I was flabbergasted.KB Brookins, Them, 26 Nov. 2024
Verb
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According to a SpaceX spokesperson, this even surprised them because the expectation was that the Super Heavy would either crash or be forced at the last second to abort the landing and dump itself into the Gulf of Mexico.David Szondy, New Atlas, 13 Oct. 2024
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However, due to not quite understanding what was happening when the race start was aborted, Norris received a reprimand and a fine of €5,000.David Faris, Newsweek, 4 Nov. 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 11 Dec. 2024.
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