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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of break off
Their connection was so strong, Douglas broke off his engagement with Angeli and the two were married on May 29, 1954.
—
Stephanie Sengwe, People.com, 31 May 2025
Both races will travel through Hillcrest, North Park and Normal Heights before the marathon breaks off from the half-marathon, event organizers said.
—Caleb Lunetta, San Diego Union-Tribune, 30 May 2025
About 100 people from a party broke off and went on a vandalism spree, Carranza said.
—Nathan Solis, Los Angeles Times, 28 May 2025
The right engine, which had been on fire, had a broken fan blade and part of the exhaust system broke off and was found in a grassy field alongside I-95, near the flight path.
—Alexandra Skores, CNN Money, 21 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for break off
Stephanie Sengwe, People.com, 31 May 2025
Both races will travel through Hillcrest, North Park and Normal Heights before the marathon breaks off from the half-marathon, event organizers said.
—Caleb Lunetta, San Diego Union-Tribune, 30 May 2025
About 100 people from a party broke off and went on a vandalism spree, Carranza said.
—Nathan Solis, Los Angeles Times, 28 May 2025
The right engine, which had been on fire, had a broken fan blade and part of the exhaust system broke off and was found in a grassy field alongside I-95, near the flight path.
—Alexandra Skores, CNN Money, 21 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for break off
Recent Examples of Synonyms for break off
Verb
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On September 2, Border Force officers had stopped two women at London Stansted Airport.—
Stuart James,
New York Times,
6 June 2025
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The filing amends an existing lawsuit against the Trump administration over the move to ban its ability to enroll international students, which initially prompted a judge to stop the administration from revoking Harvard’s student visa program.—
Andy Rose,
CNN Money,
5 June 2025
Verb
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The health impacts of being exposed to air pollution from wildfires can last for months, even after a fire has ended, according to a new analysis.—
Jamie Hailstone,
Forbes.com,
3 June 2025
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Strategically, Hamas has sought all along to use the hostages as a bargaining chip to constrain Israel and force it to end the war—and thereby guarantee Hamas’s own survival.—
Assaf Orion,
Foreign Affairs,
3 June 2025
Verb
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Yet, for some time now, there has been a third movement that tends to be articulated more in art than elsewhere, even if elsewhere there has long since ceased to be any alternative.—
Diedrich Diederichsen,
Artforum,
1 June 2025
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Once retired, income mainly ceases and so does the ability to add funding to retirement accounts.—
David Kudla,
Forbes.com,
30 May 2025
Verb
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According to court documents, the employee fraudulently created a new medical marijuana card for herself after her card obtained in 2023 expired, KELO reported.—
Kate Linderman,
Kansas City Star,
3 June 2025
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Most of the tax rates and breaks enacted in 2017 during President Donald Trump’s first term expire at the end of this year, and the bill would continue them.—
David Lightman,
Sacbee.com,
3 June 2025
Verb
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The ruling halts the president's tariffs in nearly every country, though the White House is all but certain to appeal the decision.—
Danielle Chemtob,
Forbes.com,
29 May 2025
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The administration could ask the Supreme Court to halt the ruling as early as Friday.—
Alex Harring,Sawdah Bhaimiya,
CNBC,
29 May 2025
Verb
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Some investors must be concluding that this is basically a no-growth company.—
Jim Cramer,
CNBC,
29 May 2025
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When this period of rapid expansion concludes, Nvidia’s valuation will likely drop significantly.—
Trefis Team,
Forbes.com,
29 May 2025
Verb
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For example, quitting is one of the hardest moments to avoid tears.—
Dr. Diane Hamilton,
Forbes.com,
28 May 2025
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Five years ago, the mother made a drastic choice to sell her house, quit her job, and embark on a global adventure, dismissing any concerns for the future of her financial security.—
Ashley Vega,
People.com,
24 May 2025
Verb
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The final week of the regular session left Democrats angry with Republicans over the majority party’s decision to cut off multiple filibusters.—
Jonathan Shorman,
Kansas City Star,
28 May 2025
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To do so, the EU could cut off the remaining imports of Russian pipeline gas and LNG.—
David McHugh,
Los Angeles Times,
28 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Break off.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/break%20off. Accessed 9 Jun. 2025.
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