1
as in to distract
to draw the attention or mind to something else
she was about to tell me the big news when her attention was called off by the arrival of another guest
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to cancel
to put an end to (something planned or previously agreed to)
called off the party after half of those invited couldn't make it
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of call off
Meanwhile, Los Angeles Unified School District called off Wednesday classes for about 100 schools — 10% of the district’s buildings — due to the poor air quality.
—
Tony Briscoe, Los Angeles Times, 8 Jan. 2025
Although he was sidelined from the hit series, the suspension was later called off.
—Jay Stahl, USA TODAY, 22 Jan. 2025
Albertsons then called off the $24.6 billion merger and announced a lawsuit against Kroger that claims the supermarket giant didn’t do enough to win approval of the plan.
—Judith Kohler, The Denver Post, 17 Jan. 2025
Jeff Bezos' space company will try again to launch its new rocket as early as Thursday after calling off the debut launch because of ice buildup in critical plumbing.
—John Mac Ghlionn, Newsweek, 14 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for call off 
Tony Briscoe, Los Angeles Times, 8 Jan. 2025
Although he was sidelined from the hit series, the suspension was later called off.
—Jay Stahl, USA TODAY, 22 Jan. 2025
Albertsons then called off the $24.6 billion merger and announced a lawsuit against Kroger that claims the supermarket giant didn’t do enough to win approval of the plan.
—Judith Kohler, The Denver Post, 17 Jan. 2025
Jeff Bezos' space company will try again to launch its new rocket as early as Thursday after calling off the debut launch because of ice buildup in critical plumbing.
—John Mac Ghlionn, Newsweek, 14 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for call off
Recent Examples of Synonyms for call off
Verb
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Don’t bring up sensitive topics when stressed, distracted, in a rush…or bed.—
Dominique Fluker,
Essence,
27 Jan. 2025
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As a result, too many of the Syrians who should be rebuilding their country for the better are distracted by poverty and shut out of power.—
Fawaz A. Gerges,
Foreign Affairs,
27 Jan. 2025
Verb
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Today, as wildfires have laid waste to much of Los Angeles County, there are once again calls for lavish awards ceremonies to be rethought, if not canceled outright, as the likes of Jean Smart and Stephen King have suggested.—
Laurie Brookins,
The Hollywood Reporter,
1 Feb. 2025
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The Emmett School District canceled classes to deep clean all of its buildings, citing low attendance linked to the spread of various illnesses in the community.—
Angela Palermo,
Idaho Statesman,
1 Feb. 2025
Verb
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Unlike a lot of Canadian petroleum products that arrive here via pipeline and is difficult to divert to another market, Mexican oil and gasoline arrives primarily via ship, so it can easily be sold elsewhere.—
Chris Isidore,
CNN,
3 Feb. 2025
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The tariffs have not resulted in any oil supplies being taken off the market, and will result in a redistribution of supplies as Mexico and Canada look to divert their volumes to Europe and Asia, Lipow added.—
Lee Ying Shan,
CNBC,
3 Feb. 2025
Verb
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Petey the Cat abandons Lil Petey on the street, and Grampa Petey is condescending and steals from his son.—
Lynnette Nicholas,
Parents,
29 Jan. 2025
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The emaciated bulldog — just 23 pounds with his ribs visible — had been stuffed inside the bag and abandoned along an Iowa roadway, according to the Des Moines Police Department.—
Mike Stunson,
Kansas City Star,
29 Jan. 2025
Verb
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Now, there’s a debate among leakers about whether or not Marvel Rivals developer NetEase may be planting fake names and information in the data that’s being mined in order to throw off these leakers and all the reporting on those leaks.—
Paul Tassi,
Forbes,
24 Jan. 2025
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Kershaw, who underwent knee and foot surgeries this offseason, is not yet throwing off a mound, but has progressed in his throwing program.—
Raul A. Reyes,
Newsweek,
23 Jan. 2025
Verb
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Due to the tonal shift of this year’s gala, the red carpet arrivals were scrapped, and the soirée, which is infamous for running past midnight, concluded at 11:30 p.m.—
Paul Chi,
Vogue,
2 Feb. 2025
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According to The Times, the rock band has scrapped the idea of hitting the road later this year.—
Emily Zemler,
Rolling Stone,
31 Jan. 2025
Verb
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The order calls for revoking all DEI mandates, policies, preferences and activities, along with the review and revision of existing employment practices, union contracts and training policies or programs, the Associated Press reported.—
Mars King,
Twin Cities,
31 Jan. 2025
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Still, Hernández couldn’t fathom that TPS really would be revoked for everyone.—
Gisela Salim-Peyer,
The Atlantic,
31 Jan. 2025
Verb
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The New Glenn launch was initially scheduled for Monday, but the attempt was aborted after ice built up on a plumbing line connected to the rocket’s auxiliary power-unit.—
Siladitya Ray,
Forbes,
16 Jan. 2025
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Her telling Chef Matthew Shea that his parents should have aborted him?—
Brian Moylan,
Vulture,
31 Dec. 2024
Thesaurus Entries Near call off
Cite this Entry
“Call off.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/call%20off. Accessed 9 Feb. 2025.
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