1
as in ending
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 stopping
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 breaking off
Honduras established diplomatic ties with China in 2023 after breaking off relations with Taiwan.
—
ABC News, 8 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
Morejón is throwing harder than ever and still breaking off some dastardly breaking pitches and throwing an increasingly wicked changeup.
—Kevin Acee, San Diego Union-Tribune, 4 May 2026
Snagless Ethernet cables have a protective cover over the plastic locking clip to keep it from accidentally getting caught on items and breaking off.
—Bestreviews, Chicago Tribune, 28 Apr. 2026
The goldendoodle’s shoulder tap felt almost human in its politeness, and the woman’s response — smiling, breaking off a piece and blowing on it — felt effortlessly warm.
—Samantha Agate, Miami Herald, 27 Apr. 2026
Summer thunderstorms and winds easily topple large plants in small containers, breaking off plant parts and making a mess.
—Andy Wilcox, Better Homes & Gardens, 16 Apr. 2026
Many meteors originate from comets, breaking off as these celestial bodies approach the Sun, heating up and sprouting tails of dust and gas; this debris can fall into our atmosphere, manifesting as brilliant shooting stars.
—Sharon Adarlo, Futurism, 15 Apr. 2026
Suggestions include breaking off from Meta entirely and offering a similar oversight service to other social platforms.
—Jon Martindale, PC Magazine, 3 Apr. 2026
ABC News, 8 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
Morejón is throwing harder than ever and still breaking off some dastardly breaking pitches and throwing an increasingly wicked changeup.
—Kevin Acee, San Diego Union-Tribune, 4 May 2026
Snagless Ethernet cables have a protective cover over the plastic locking clip to keep it from accidentally getting caught on items and breaking off.
—Bestreviews, Chicago Tribune, 28 Apr. 2026
The goldendoodle’s shoulder tap felt almost human in its politeness, and the woman’s response — smiling, breaking off a piece and blowing on it — felt effortlessly warm.
—Samantha Agate, Miami Herald, 27 Apr. 2026
Summer thunderstorms and winds easily topple large plants in small containers, breaking off plant parts and making a mess.
—Andy Wilcox, Better Homes & Gardens, 16 Apr. 2026
Many meteors originate from comets, breaking off as these celestial bodies approach the Sun, heating up and sprouting tails of dust and gas; this debris can fall into our atmosphere, manifesting as brilliant shooting stars.
—Sharon Adarlo, Futurism, 15 Apr. 2026
Suggestions include breaking off from Meta entirely and offering a similar oversight service to other social platforms.
—Jon Martindale, PC Magazine, 3 Apr. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for breaking off
Verb
-
Announced Tuesday, the Mavericks and Kidd mutually agreed to part ways, ending a coaching tenure that began in 2021 and concluded with an even 205-205 regular-season record.—
Alejandro Avila OutKick,
FOXNews.com,
20 May 2026
-
Cuffe redshirted during the Jayhawks’ 2022 national championship season and then played in just two games for head coach Bill Self before suffering a season-ending injury in 2022-23.—
Gary Bedore
May 18,
Kansas City Star,
19 May 2026
Verb
-
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
-
The storm never fully fired, and Lisius and George eventually made their way back to Arlington, stopping for tacos along the way.—
Emily Holshouser
May 19,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
19 May 2026
Verb
-
In the wake of Spirit Airlines suddenly ceasing operations on May 2, another airline is offering new direct flights – with three new routes coming to Pittsburgh International Airport.—
Finch Walker,
USA Today,
7 May 2026
-
The album consists of 10 tracks where the challenge has been to evolve without ceasing to be myself.—
Sarah Moreno
May 7,
Miami Herald,
7 May 2026
Verb
-
Nishant Pant has a STZ bull call spread expiring on June 12.—
Nishant Pant,
CNBC,
19 May 2026
-
Wind and solar power have intermittency issues and their federal tax credits are expiring.—
Jordan Blum,
Fortune,
14 May 2026
Verb
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However, by the time Gordon completed the zoning process to transform the farmhouse, the 2008 financial crisis hit, halting her plans.—
William Deffaa,
Baltimore Sun,
14 May 2026
-
Antioxidants neutralize free radicals by donating electrons to stabilize reactive molecules without becoming harmful themselves, thereby halting oxidative damage and protecting cells and tissues.—
Lana Barhum,
Verywell Health,
13 May 2026
Verb
-
Federal judges allowed all five to resume construction, essentially concluding that the government didn’t show that the national security risk was so imminent that construction must halt.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
14 May 2026
-
The trek kicks off in September in Detroit before concluding in Atlanta.—
Kiana Mickles,
Pitchfork,
11 May 2026
Verb
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Among the opening acts of World War I, Britain severed Germany’s key telegraph cables, cutting off its communications with its forces.—
Mostafa Salem,
CNN Money,
17 May 2026
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That includes Moscow cutting off natural gas supplies to Europe in retaliation for sanctions the West imposed after Russia invaded Ukraine.—
Jason Ma,
Fortune,
17 May 2026
Verb
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Tehran cemented its grip on the Strait of Hormuz; a few more tankers managed to pass through in the last few days, albeit only by either negotiating in advance with Iran, or by shutting off their transponders and racing through.—
Tim McDonnell,
semafor.com,
14 May 2026
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Don’t try to handle a squatter yourself by changing locks, hauling out belongings or shutting off utilities — Texas law treats that as a self-help eviction and can backfire if the person turns out to have tenant rights, making court eviction the required route in landlord-tenant cases.—
Tiffani Jackson,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
11 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Breaking off.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/breaking%20off. Accessed 20 May. 2026.
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