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
After remarks from a handful of speakers, most of the crowd broke off into a march through the streets.
—
Killian Baarlaer, Louisville Courier Journal, 28 Mar. 2026
The agency said metal bristles can break off, stick to grill grates and be swallowed, potentially lodging in the throat or digestive tract and causing internal injuries.
—Fernando Cervantes Jr, USA Today, 27 Mar. 2026
If Denver wants a change-of-pace back who can break off chunk gains both inside and outside the tackles, though, Black’s tape pops.
—Luca Evans, Denver Post, 25 Mar. 2026
Firefighters found that the beam had broken off and toppled, throwing the workers roughly 30 feet and trapping one inside a concrete formwork platform.
—Sofia Saric, Miami Herald, 24 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for break off
Killian Baarlaer, Louisville Courier Journal, 28 Mar. 2026
The agency said metal bristles can break off, stick to grill grates and be swallowed, potentially lodging in the throat or digestive tract and causing internal injuries.
—Fernando Cervantes Jr, USA Today, 27 Mar. 2026
If Denver wants a change-of-pace back who can break off chunk gains both inside and outside the tackles, though, Black’s tape pops.
—Luca Evans, Denver Post, 25 Mar. 2026
Firefighters found that the beam had broken off and toppled, throwing the workers roughly 30 feet and trapping one inside a concrete formwork platform.
—Sofia Saric, Miami Herald, 24 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for break off
Recent Examples of Synonyms for break off
Verb
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Asking the engineers to stop designing a firing squad chamber for the state of Idaho to execute death-row prisoners.—
Sally Krutzig,
Idaho Statesman,
1 Apr. 2026
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The Yankees went a perfect 5-for-5 with ABS challenges in Monday’s 2-1 walk-off loss to the Mariners, but that didn’t stop Boone and company from barking at home plate umpire Mike Estabrook.—
Gary Phillips,
New York Daily News,
1 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Oh, and after a Collins strikeout finally ended the streak in the sixth, Isbel promptly led off the bottom of the seventh with a home run.—
Sam McDowell,
Kansas City Star,
2 Apr. 2026
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According to Max Preps, the JSerra Lions ended the 2025 season with a 3-7 record and went 0-5 in the Trinity League against powerhouse like Mater Dei.—
Charles Baggarly,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
2 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Under the emergency order, the school must immediately cease operations and may not provide massage education services in Texas unless otherwise authorized.—
S.E. Jenkins,
CBS News,
31 Mar. 2026
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Your intelligence, your generosity, your courage, and your great sensitivity never cease to move me.—
Yi-Jin Yu,
ABC News,
30 Mar. 2026
Verb
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His contract does not expire until after the 2028 season.—
Brooks Kubena,
New York Times,
1 Apr. 2026
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Her current status expires at the end of April.—
Mathew Miranda
Updated March 31,
Sacbee.com,
1 Apr. 2026
Verb
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In February, a Massachusetts federal court order halted the administration from using tax data for immigration enforcement for now.—
Eduardo Cuevas,
USA Today,
4 Apr. 2026
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This week, construction crews and equipment snaked along a hillside on the southern end of the 420-acre parcel, away from the three sites where the Army Corps had halted work.—
Lucas Robinson,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
4 Apr. 2026
Verb
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At the time, Harold's autopsy concluded his death was caused by multiple, serious cardiac issues including pericarditis, an inflammation of the sac around the heart.—
Peter Van Sant,
CBS News,
5 Apr. 2026
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With roster movement already underway and a top-25 recruiting class incoming, the season that just concluded serves as a foundation rather than a finished product.—
Aaron Segal,
Kansas City Star,
4 Apr. 2026
Verb
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At the Greeley plant, union officials said the company tried to intimidate workers to quit the union in one-on-one meetings, union general counsel Matt Shechter said.—
Katie Langford,
Denver Post,
5 Apr. 2026
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Still, cuts to the airport security agency would come at a critical time for air travel with rising concerns about air safety after more than 500 TSA officers quit in recent weeks and amid a longstanding shortage of air traffic controllers.—
Reuters,
USA Today,
4 Apr. 2026
Verb
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The perch is a little too small for bigger birds like mourning doves, and my voracious flock of starlings is often cut off.—
Jim Fisher,
PC Magazine,
31 Mar. 2026
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Resistance is likely to be strongest among European governments, still shocked by Beijing’s threats last year to cut off supplies of rare earths — essential for clean tech — and worried about further hollowing out their own green industries.—
Andy Browne,
semafor.com,
31 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Break off.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/break%20off. Accessed 5 Apr. 2026.
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