call off

verb

called off; calling off; calls off
Synonyms of call offnext

transitive verb

1
: to draw away : divert
2
: cancel

Examples of call off in a Sentence

she was about to tell me the big news when her attention was called off by the arrival of another guest called off the party after half of those invited couldn't make it
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
In mid-April, Meghan Trainor also called off her entire arena tour, citing a desire to spend time with her young children. Chris Willman, Variety, 2 May 2026 Lai's visit to Eswatini, the only African nation that maintains formal diplomatic relations with Taiwan, was called off after the Indian Ocean islands of Madagascar, Mauritius and Seychelles were pressured by China to withdraw permission for Lai's plane to fly over their territory, Taiwan said. ABC News, 2 May 2026 Negotiations continued by phone after Trump called off his envoys’ trip to Pakistan last weekend, the president said. Sarah El Deeb, Los Angeles Times, 2 May 2026 Negotiations have continued by phone after Trump called off his envoys’ trip to Pakistan last week, the president said. Toqa Ezzidin, Chicago Tribune, 1 May 2026 See All Example Sentences for call off

Word History

First Known Use

1606, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of call off was in 1606

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Cite this Entry

“Call off.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/call%20off. Accessed 6 May. 2026.

Kids Definition

call off

verb
1
: to draw away : divert
call off a dog
2
: cancel sense 2a
call off a meeting

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