CALL OFF Synonyms: 61 Similar and Opposite Words

call off

verb

Definition of call off

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Recent Examples of call off That feat was called off for Flight 12 due to a premature shutdown of one of the Raptor engines. — Lee Billings & Claire Cameron, Scientific American, 16 July 2026 After previously calling off an engagement, BelléJolie Force is a singer who is searching for her Prince Charming. — Kelly Allen, PEOPLE, 13 July 2026 The search was called off the morning of July 6, after a park ranger discovered a body near the island, later confirmed to be Wells through dental records. — Anthony Thompson, USA Today, 10 July 2026 After nearly an hour, then-IDOC Director Josh Tewalt called off the execution. — Kevin Fixler, Idaho Statesman, 10 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for call off

Recent Examples of Synonyms for call off

Verb

Knight brought both belts into the ring, distracting the referee by throwing the world title in the ring.

— Alfred Konuwa, Forbes.com, 27 July 2026
In the context of tens of thousands of DPS students who aren’t making gains quickly enough to ever meet proficiency levels, such fanfare is essentially distracting braggadocio.

— Elaine Gantz Berman, Denver Post, 27 July 2026

Definition of distract

Verb

The Philippine ships eventually canceled their mission on Friday and headed back to port, citing a developing typhoon in the region.

— Ivan Watson, CNN Money, 24 July 2026
The exceptions are Indiana, USC (because of the Notre Dame series falling off), Penn State and Nebraska (which canceled a series with Tennessee).

— Seth Emerson, New York Times, 24 July 2026

Definition of cancel

Verb

The shows’ studio, 20th TV Animation, kept the annual output relatively steady, diverting the surplus episodes to its streaming platforms.

— Nellie Andreeva, Deadline, 25 July 2026
Charlotteans illegally dump about 10 tons of trash every single day — much of it large, bulky items — and the city has to divert garbage crews from normal routes to collect it.

— Nick Sullivan, Charlotte Observer, 24 July 2026

Definition of divert

Verb

Burke’s phone was the last device connected to the Tesla before it was abandoned, the detective said, and surveillance footage showed him near the vehicle.

— Madeline Morrison, NBC news, 22 July 2026
But the threat alone has persuaded some ships to abandon their plans to exit the Red Sea heading south.

— David Goldman, CNN Money, 22 July 2026

Definition of abandon

Verb

Both riders, who were not wearing helmets, were thrown off their motorcycles, police shared.

— Eleanor Nash, Kansas City Star, 26 July 2026
But the storm, which increased to category 3 in strength on Sunday, is throwing off energy that will generate surf in Southern California.

— Gary Robbins, San Diego Union-Tribune, 26 July 2026

Definition of throw off

Verb

Luna was set to reprise the role in a standalone series for Hulu, but that project was scrapped in 2019.

— Jordan Moreau, Variety, 26 July 2026
The World Endurance Championship, the premier global sports car series, is set to scrap its plans to return to the Middle East at the end of the year, due to the resumption of hostilities in the region.

— Luke Smith, New York Times, 26 July 2026

Definition of scrap

Verb

As of this week, the committee’s previous recommendation to revoke Eastside’s request for proposal to build the redevelopment had not garnered final approval by, or appeared on a meeting agenda of, the Unified Government Board of Commissioners.

— Sofi Zeman July 30, Kansas City Star, 30 July 2026
McDonald, though, said national leaders have warned that barring transgender members would open the DAR up to having its tax-exempt status revoked, which McDonald disputes.

— Matthew Adams, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 28 July 2026

Definition of revoke

Verb

SpaceX initially tried to launch Flight 13 on July 16, but the rocket aborted the try at the last second due to engine issues.

— Tariq Malik, Space.com, 25 July 2026
The Delta pilots noted a potential collision and aborted their landing, instead opting to perform a go-around, which involves climbing away from the runway before circling back around for a safer landing.

— Colson Thayer, PEOPLE, 24 July 2026