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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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of call off
Advertisement Advertisement Then in June, the project was called off.
—
David Gelles, Time, 9 Sep. 2025
After divorcing his fourth wife, Jerry Hall, in August 2022, the media tycoon announced his engagement to Ann Lesley Smith on March 20, 2023 (the pair called off their engagement just a few weeks later).
—Lynsey Eidell, PEOPLE, 9 Sep. 2025
The Washington Post first reported that the military academy called off this month’s event, saying the cancellation would allow West Point to instead focus on preparing enrollees for their future service.
—Brett Samuels, The Hill, 8 Sep. 2025
The uncertainty over the federal government’s plans for Chicago led Pritzker to call off plans to join a state trade mission to Japan.
—Rebecca Johnson, Chicago Tribune, 5 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for call off
David Gelles, Time, 9 Sep. 2025
After divorcing his fourth wife, Jerry Hall, in August 2022, the media tycoon announced his engagement to Ann Lesley Smith on March 20, 2023 (the pair called off their engagement just a few weeks later).
—Lynsey Eidell, PEOPLE, 9 Sep. 2025
The Washington Post first reported that the military academy called off this month’s event, saying the cancellation would allow West Point to instead focus on preparing enrollees for their future service.
—Brett Samuels, The Hill, 8 Sep. 2025
The uncertainty over the federal government’s plans for Chicago led Pritzker to call off plans to join a state trade mission to Japan.
—Rebecca Johnson, Chicago Tribune, 5 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for call off
Recent Examples of Synonyms for call off
Verb
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But one way to distract and soothe your temperamental toddler might be through music.—
Elisabeth Sherman,
Parents,
12 Sep. 2025
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Molina, who is fascinated by silver screen legend Ingrid Luna (Jennifer Lopez), distracts himself and Valentín with a recounting of his favorite film of hers — The Kiss of the Spider Woman.—
Maureen Lee Lenker,
Entertainment Weekly,
11 Sep. 2025
Verb
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He's witnessed countless episodes of passengers wearing noise-canceling headphones and earbuds walking through airport terminals, oblivious to their surroundings and putting themselves and others in danger.—
Christopher Elliott,
Forbes.com,
13 Sep. 2025
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That proposal was canceled after bipartisan opposition in the Senate.—
Lauren Kent,
CNN Money,
13 Sep. 2025
Verb
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The study also found that nearly half the respondents — highest on record — had diverted investments planned for China to other regions, primarily Southeast Asia.—
Evelyn Cheng,
CNBC,
17 Sep. 2025
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However, those meetings will coincide with anti-Trump demonstrations that could divert attention away from the diplomatic business at hand.—
Alexandra Banner,
CNN Money,
17 Sep. 2025
Verb
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The Tesla was taken to Hollywood Tow after a person reported that it had been abandoned, NBC Los Angeles previously reported.—
Andrew Blankstein,
NBC news,
19 Sep. 2025
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The city finally towed the sedan after a citizen complained that the car had been abandoned for more than 72 hours.—
Jon Blistein,
Rolling Stone,
18 Sep. 2025
Verb
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And in Garcia’s long interception return, Benitez was harassed by the defense, flushed out of the pocket and forced to throw off balance.—
John Maffei,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
13 Sep. 2025
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Lòpez threw a bullpen session Friday, his second time throwing off the mound since surgery.—
David O'Brien,
New York Times,
13 Sep. 2025
Verb
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The old-timey chain had recently scrapped major parts of its turnaround plan after right-wing backlash.—
Ramishah Maruf,
CNN Money,
17 Sep. 2025
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Now, half a century later, federal regulators want to scrap the first major CRA update in more than thirty years and drag us back to the rules written in 1995.—
Lenwood V. Long,
Forbes.com,
17 Sep. 2025
Verb
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During an interview with Fox News on Monday, Rubio said that the State Department will not grant visas to those celebrating Kirk’s death, and will revoke visas from those doing so.—
Max Rego,
The Hill,
16 Sep. 2025
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Secretary of State Marco Rubio has said the United States has begun revoking the visas of individuals found celebrating the killing of the conservative activist Charlie Kirk.—
Alia Shoaib
Shane Croucher,
MSNBC Newsweek,
16 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Still, in March, a collision alarm sounded in the cockpit of a Delta Air Lines jet when Air Force jets conducting a flyover at Arlington National Cemetery got too close, and in May, an Army helicopter circling the neighboring Pentagon, caused two passenger jets to abort landings.—
Aaron Cooper,
CNN Money,
9 Sep. 2025
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But the Clinton administration aborted the idea out of fear that an attack could result in retaliation against South Korea and a broader war, and instead sought a diplomatic solution.—
VIPIN NARANG,
Foreign Affairs,
5 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Call off.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/call%20off. Accessed 20 Sep. 2025.
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