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
The sidewalk and street below were littered with large stones that broke off the wall in the collision.
—
Evan Simko-Bednarski, New York Daily News, 17 Jan. 2025
Waves battered the reef, breaking off pieces of coral and sediment that clumped together to form Tetiaroa’s islets, or motus.
—Sarah Kuta, Smithsonian Magazine, 7 Jan. 2025
Last year, the two countries broke off diplomatic relations following Noboa’s order of a raid on the Mexican embassy in Quito, Ecuador to arrest Jorge Glas, a former Ecuadorean vice president.
—Anna Cooban, CNN, 3 Feb. 2025
Although its nose had been broken off, the statue of a man’s head still showed remarkable detail.
—Eli Wizevich, Smithsonian Magazine, 28 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for break off 
Evan Simko-Bednarski, New York Daily News, 17 Jan. 2025
Waves battered the reef, breaking off pieces of coral and sediment that clumped together to form Tetiaroa’s islets, or motus.
—Sarah Kuta, Smithsonian Magazine, 7 Jan. 2025
Last year, the two countries broke off diplomatic relations following Noboa’s order of a raid on the Mexican embassy in Quito, Ecuador to arrest Jorge Glas, a former Ecuadorean vice president.
—Anna Cooban, CNN, 3 Feb. 2025
Although its nose had been broken off, the statue of a man’s head still showed remarkable detail.
—Eli Wizevich, Smithsonian Magazine, 28 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for break off
Recent Examples of Synonyms for break off
Verb
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Outside of suicide, the only way for a terminally ill person in Ohio to hasten their own death is to refuse life-prolonging treatments or to stop eating and drinking.—
Tim Botos,
USA TODAY,
18 Feb. 2025
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Even so, this may encourage some of us to stop hemming our maxi-dresses and jeans in favor of throwing on a hidden pair of extra-tall platforms.—
Emily Tannenbaum,
Glamour,
17 Feb. 2025
Verb
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Seton Hall ended its nine-game losing streak and improved to 7-18 overall and 2-12 in the league.—
Joe Arruda,
Hartford Courant,
15 Feb. 2025
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Trump's order suggests that the practice could end, and targets hospitals and universities that receive federal money and provide the care.—
MANUEL VALDES THE ASSOCIATED PRESS,
arkansasonline.com,
15 Feb. 2025
Verb
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The return-to-work ordinance would require city executives to determine timelines to cease remote-work options for their employees.—
Jessica Boehm,
Axios,
11 Feb. 2025
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Wednesday night, precipitation is expected to be both rain and snow but become all rain after 1 a.m. Snow is expected to cease heading into Thursday with rain instead predicted before 1 p.m.—
Matt Hubbard,
Baltimore Sun,
9 Feb. 2025
Verb
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With that focus on upcoming free agents, the Bills will look hard at their upcoming group of expiring contracts.—
Joe Buscaglia,
The Athletic,
14 Feb. 2025
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Trump’s arbitrary 75-day pause on the TikTok ban would expire April 5, 2025.—
Todd Spangler,
Variety,
14 Feb. 2025
Verb
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The judge’s order, issued early Saturday, temporarily halts access to a sensitive payment system that distributes Americans’ tax returns, Social Security benefits, disability payments and federal employees’ salaries.—
Andrew Torgan,
CNN,
9 Feb. 2025
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But there is now growing pushback in the courts to Musk's moves with judges taking actions to delay and halt many of DOGE's efforts, including their access to key Treasury Department payment systems.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
9 Feb. 2025
Verb
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Simultaneously, New York Fashion Week concluded with the Sergio Hudson Fall/Winter 2025 Fashion Show, where Keke Palmer turned heads in a cream ensemble, embodying leadership and authority.—
Okla Jones,
Essence,
10 Feb. 2025
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The tour itself starts on April 19 in Minneapolis’ U.S. Bank Stadium and will conclude the North American run in Northwest Stadium in Washington, D.C. on June 18.—
Jason Clinkscales,
Sportico.com,
10 Feb. 2025
Verb
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White nurses were afraid of the disease, quit, and sought employment elsewhere rather than risk infection.—
Emilie Le Beau Lucchesi,
Discover Magazine,
8 Feb. 2025
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But after having the same tired argument over and over again with no improvements to show for it, Amy decided to call it quits with a text.—
Julia Ries,
SELF,
7 Feb. 2025
Verb
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Various reports say that, in response, the Emilia Pérez campaign has essentially cut off their rogue star.—
Nate Jones,
Vulture,
7 Feb. 2025
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The model cut off her once-signature long blonde hair coming up to a year ago, in favor of a chin-skimming, tousled bob.—
Anna Cafolla,
Vogue,
7 Feb. 2025
Thesaurus Entries Near break off
Cite this Entry
“Break off.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/break%20off. Accessed 21 Feb. 2025.
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