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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
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
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
In a statement, DHS told WJZ that nearly 500 TSA officers have quit during the shutdown, and thousands more are calling off work.
—
Tara Lynch, CBS News, 27 Mar. 2026
Just three seasons before MLB had to call off its first World Series in 90 years, the Minnesota Twins and Atlanta Braves staged one of the greatest Fall Classics in living memory.
—Anthony Crupi, Sportico.com, 27 Mar. 2026
An attorney for the team previously said the questioning would center on comments Reinsdorf made to the media in the days after the shooting, as well as the team’s decision to not call off the rest of the game after the shooting occurred, though a postgame concert with Vanilla Ice was called off.
—Sam Charles, Chicago Tribune, 25 Mar. 2026
Amazon called off its purchase of robot vacuum maker iRobot in 2024 after facing regulatory hurdles in Europe and the United States.
—ABC News, 24 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for call off
Tara Lynch, CBS News, 27 Mar. 2026
Just three seasons before MLB had to call off its first World Series in 90 years, the Minnesota Twins and Atlanta Braves staged one of the greatest Fall Classics in living memory.
—Anthony Crupi, Sportico.com, 27 Mar. 2026
An attorney for the team previously said the questioning would center on comments Reinsdorf made to the media in the days after the shooting, as well as the team’s decision to not call off the rest of the game after the shooting occurred, though a postgame concert with Vanilla Ice was called off.
—Sam Charles, Chicago Tribune, 25 Mar. 2026
Amazon called off its purchase of robot vacuum maker iRobot in 2024 after facing regulatory hurdles in Europe and the United States.
—ABC News, 24 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for call off
Recent Examples of Synonyms for call off
Verb
-
The Sear/Sauté function gets quite hot even on its low setting, so some of my garlic got a shade too brown while I was distracted opening the can of tomato paste.—
Callie Sumlin,
Bon Appetit Magazine,
3 Apr. 2026
-
Colorado State Patrol is reminding all drivers that distracted driving can lead to life or death consequences.—
Brian Sherrod,
CBS News,
2 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Now that Sacramento County’s fiscal adviser has canceled the Sacramento City Unified School District board’s contract with a consulting firm, the district faces its budget crisis with fewer options and a ticking clock.—
Scott Lebar. Story produced with AI assistance,
Sacbee.com,
5 Apr. 2026
-
At a time when festivals like Sol Blume, Goldensky and Breakaway have been cancelled or postponed, citing costs or unforeseen circumstances, Channel 24 credits the Sacramento community as the key to their success.—
Madisen Keavy,
CBS News,
5 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Data centers have sparked backlash from communities across the state that are worried about higher utility bills, strained power grids and water being diverted away from families to cool servers at massive data centers.—
Brendan Steinhauser,
Sun Sentinel,
1 Apr. 2026
-
The flight crew initiated bomb threat protocol after hearing the threat and diverted the plane to Detroit Metro Airport, where it was isolated for a full security check, according to an FBI affidavit filed with the complaint.—
Eric Henderson,
CBS News,
1 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Administrator Crystal Ruth switches on dozens of heat lamps that radiate a yellow hue to warm at least 80 disabled, abandoned or formerly abused animals that call the rescue home.—
Julian Camejo,
Miami Herald,
4 Apr. 2026
-
It sat abandoned until 1969, when a group of Native American activists occupied the island and remained there for the next two years, according to NPS.—
Noe Padilla,
USA Today,
3 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
But a number of architects and preservation groups provided their opinions of the 90,000 square foot project, generally characterizing it as way out of scale with the Executive Residence, the main part of the White House, while throwing off the symmetry of the grounds.—
Ted Johnson,
Deadline,
2 Apr. 2026
-
But state lawmakers estimate a quarter to half of current enrollees — as many as 40,000 people — would be thrown off the Medicaid expansion under the requirements in House Bill 913 and forced to find coverage another way, or go without.—
Kevin Fixler,
Idaho Statesman,
1 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
When money is guaranteed for injury, he is entitled to that money if his contract is scrapped as a result of a physical issue sustained while performing contractual services.—
Dan Sheldon,
New York Times,
6 Apr. 2026
-
Still buzzing from the early goal, Flyers fans erupted only moments later when Travis Konecny and Boston's Charlie McAvoy briefly scrapped near the net.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
5 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Some politicians have even proposed invoking Article 7 of the Treaty of the EU, a legal measure that could revoke Hungary's voting rights in the bloc.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
6 Apr. 2026
-
The United Arab Emirates, which long had deep commercial ties with Iran, is revoking visas of Iranians in the UAE and may freeze Iran’s assets in country.—
Jason Ma,
Fortune,
5 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
The flight was forced to abort its landing.—
Sharyn Alfonsi,
CBS News,
29 Mar. 2026
-
Just before Sunday’s collision, controllers were dealing with another plane that had declared an emergency after aborting a takeoff and smelling an odor on the plane.—
Alexandra Skores,
CNN Money,
26 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Call off.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/call%20off. Accessed 7 Apr. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
