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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After all, we too are drawn to violent, meaningless spectacle to distract us from matters of substance.—
Chris Vognar,
Los Angeles Times,
16 Jan. 2025
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Police warned those in attendance to keep their hands down so as not to distract from the formal proceedings.—
Ashleigh Fields,
The Hill,
15 Jan. 2025
Verb
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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
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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
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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It had been abandoned but the girl, Blessing Aoci, was nowhere to be found.—
Mitchell Willetts,
Kansas City Star,
17 Jan. 2025
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But the consistent presence of drug rehabilitation and criminal offenses dominating the background of potential candidates for the award led the league to eventually abandon it.—
Julia Poe,
Chicago Tribune,
17 Jan. 2025
Verb
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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
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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
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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After Jean Smart posted on Instagram that Hollywood needs to scrap awards shows and figure out how to generate revenue for fire victims instead, former lead stage manager Debbie Williams had a few choice words for the Hacks star via Facebook.—
Lynette Rice,
Deadline,
21 Jan. 2025
Verb
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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
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The legal authority to revoke birthright citizenship is a matter of significant debate.—
Justin Gest,
Newsweek,
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 30 Jan. 2025.
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