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
Will California eventually break off and fall into the ocean?
—
Don Sweeney, Sacbee.com, 11 May 2026
On a spacecraft, this could not only puncture windows but also lead to internal spallation, where fragments break off inside the cabin.
—Alan Bradley, Space.com, 8 May 2026
The van was parked and unoccupied, and a key was broken off in the driver’s door lock, police said.
—Cale Ahearn, Baltimore Sun, 6 May 2026
Filed by First Nations groups in Alberta, the lawsuit argues that the province breaking off from Canada would violate treaty rights.
—Chantelle Lee, Time, 5 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for break off
Don Sweeney, Sacbee.com, 11 May 2026
On a spacecraft, this could not only puncture windows but also lead to internal spallation, where fragments break off inside the cabin.
—Alan Bradley, Space.com, 8 May 2026
The van was parked and unoccupied, and a key was broken off in the driver’s door lock, police said.
—Cale Ahearn, Baltimore Sun, 6 May 2026
Filed by First Nations groups in Alberta, the lawsuit argues that the province breaking off from Canada would violate treaty rights.
—Chantelle Lee, Time, 5 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for break off
Recent Examples of Synonyms for break off
Verb
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The flotilla boats were stopped around 90-100 miles from the Gaza coastline, according to the flotilla's website tracker.—
May 19,
CBS News,
19 May 2026
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Those unable to swim two lengths of the pool without stopping should have a parent remain close enough to reach them.—
Laura Berrios,
AJC.com,
19 May 2026
Verb
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Detroit catcher Dylan Dinger’s throw wasn’t in time to get Bichette, but shortstop Zach Short threw home to get Benge, ending the inning with the game still tied.—
Abbey Mastracco,
New York Daily News,
14 May 2026
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Seiya Suzuki, up for the second time with two on, struck out to end the eighth.—
Meghan Montemurro,
Chicago Tribune,
14 May 2026
Verb
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Key indicators include clients engaging more with competitors, ceasing to credit your work in their successes, and offering delayed or forced responses to communications.—
Jodie Cook,
Forbes.com,
18 May 2026
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After making a batch, production ceased a few weeks ago.—
Steve Scauzillo,
Daily News,
18 May 2026
Verb
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Tea doesn't expire but loses freshness over time, affecting flavor and nutrient content.—
Karla Walsh,
Better Homes & Gardens,
19 May 2026
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The registration tags on the car expired in 2023.—
Anne Gelhaus,
Mercury News,
19 May 2026
Verb
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The new honey-gold edition continues to use this innovation, which allows the tourbillon to be halted at any moment by an arresting spring, regardless of the position of the balance or cage, enabling precise, one-second time setting.—
Anthony DeMarco,
Forbes.com,
16 May 2026
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The land was dedicated as a park in 2008, but the Great Recession halted city spending on the project.—
Mark Dee
May 15,
Idaho Statesman,
15 May 2026
Verb
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President Pablo Longoria, sporting director Mehdi Benatia and head coach Roberto De Zerbi were portrayed as working in lockstep, and De Zerbi’s first season at the helm had concluded with Marseille securing automatic Champions League qualification for only the third time since 2013.—
Tom Williams,
New York Times,
17 May 2026
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The late-night host concluded his TV tenure in May 2015 after revealing his plans to retire the previous year.—
Erin Jensen,
USA Today,
16 May 2026
Verb
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The thesis of Brady’s commencement, though, was battling through adversity and never quitting, and the best way for Brady to tell his motivational message was by telling the story of his Super Bowl LI comeback against the Atlanta Falcons.—
Ryan Morik,
FOXNews.com,
16 May 2026
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These are intended to offer an appealing alternative smoking cessation product for adults who wish to quit.—
Joshua P. Cohen,
Forbes.com,
15 May 2026
Verb
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Change the menu—cut off their food sources.—
Arricca Elin SanSone,
Southern Living,
19 May 2026
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Iran's near-closure of the Strait of Hormuz has thrown global oil trade into disarray, cutting off importers from around one-fifth of the global oil supply that traversed the waterway before the war.—
USA Today,
USA Today,
18 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Break off.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/break%20off. Accessed 20 May. 2026.
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