as in repeal
the act of putting an end to something planned or previously agreed to
the calling off of the senior prom is not going to go over well
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in distracting
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
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in canceling
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
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Recent Examples of calling off
Jessica Gelt, Los Angeles Times, 27 Jan. 2026
The university cited budget cuts as the reason for calling off this year's dinner for the first time in its almost 60-year history, according to a letter posted by the Black Student Union.
—Heather Bushman, IndyStar, 16 Jan. 2026
Coffman said that shows officers and their supervisors are judiciously calling off pursuits that become too dangerous.
—Shelly Bradbury, Denver Post, 27 Oct. 2025
Years after calling off their first engagement, Affleck and Lopez reconnected then married in 2022.
—Sarah Jones, PEOPLE, 8 Sep. 2025
But lately, more buyers are calling off their deals to look for better ones.
—Lew Sichelman, Miami Herald, 29 Aug. 2025
In it, Belly (Lola Tung) is headed to Paris after calling off her wedding to Jeremiah (Gavin Casalegno), unsure what the future holds for her.
—Katie Campione, Deadline, 29 Aug. 2025
They were engaged for nearly a year before calling off their wedding less than one month before the date.
—Ryan Morik, FOXNews.com, 5 Aug. 2025
Verb
The news that Glass was calling off his appearance also caught off guard the National Symphony Orchestra.
—Jessica Gelt, Los Angeles Times, 27 Jan. 2026
The university cited budget cuts as the reason for calling off this year's dinner for the first time in its almost 60-year history, according to a letter posted by the Black Student Union.
—Heather Bushman, IndyStar, 16 Jan. 2026
Coffman said that shows officers and their supervisors are judiciously calling off pursuits that become too dangerous.
—Shelly Bradbury, Denver Post, 27 Oct. 2025
Years after calling off their first engagement, Affleck and Lopez reconnected then married in 2022.
—Sarah Jones, PEOPLE, 8 Sep. 2025
But lately, more buyers are calling off their deals to look for better ones.
—Lew Sichelman, Miami Herald, 29 Aug. 2025
In it, Belly (Lola Tung) is headed to Paris after calling off her wedding to Jeremiah (Gavin Casalegno), unsure what the future holds for her.
—Katie Campione, Deadline, 29 Aug. 2025
They were engaged for nearly a year before calling off their wedding less than one month before the date.
—Ryan Morik, FOXNews.com, 5 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for calling off
Noun
-
But the lack of bigger tax cuts does not inherently make the grocery tax repeal bad.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
16 Feb. 2026
-
In 2014, the New York Times published a six-part series arguing for a repeal on the federal marijuana ban, comparing the government’s treatment of cannabis to the prohibition on alcohol in the 1920s.—
Elaine Mallon,
Baltimore Sun,
13 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
To match the child actor who plays young Neil, Levitt wears blue contacts over his naturally brown eyes, which aren’t nearly as distracting in this pass.—
Peter Debruge,
Variety,
10 Feb. 2026
-
Next, a Route 66 sign appears briefly along the periphery, surrounded by additional distracting road signs.—
Sandee LaMotte,
CNN Money,
10 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
This comes weeks after the president discussed the idea of cancelling elections outright.—
New York Daily News Editorial Board,
New York Daily News,
5 Feb. 2026
-
But that figure is the equivalent of canceling Art Basel for seven years.—
Vinod Sreeharsha
February 5,
Miami Herald,
5 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Delays and cancellations in plane travel were also caused by air traffic control issues, which won't happen this time around since the shutdown won't pertain to the Transportation Department.—
Zachary Schermele,
USA Today,
13 Feb. 2026
-
The move, however, came after layoffs at HHS’s Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration and the whipsaw cancellation and restoration of $2 billion in funding for its programs in January.—
Dan Vergano,
Scientific American,
13 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Crocodile documents growing pains within the collective, particularly as Godwin becomes interested in pursuing a music career, diverting his attention from filmmaking (he has been signed to Sony Music).—
Matthew Carey,
Deadline,
14 Feb. 2026
-
After diverting to Brussels, authorities removed the two passengers from the aircraft.—
Sophia Compton,
FOXNews.com,
14 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Security footage shows the missing man crashing his car and abandoning it near the Best Western Hotel on Enterprise Drive.—
Julia Avant,
CBS News,
11 Feb. 2026
-
Republican state lawmakers opposed the measure, saying the Legislature was circumventing its process and abandoning transparency and accountability in order to funnel tax dollars to a political ally.—
Andrew Graham,
Sacbee.com,
10 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Some 64 years later, the development is officially coming down, following years of decay, neglect and abandonment.—
Eric Adler,
Kansas City Star,
4 Feb. 2026
-
The Illinois Department of Natural Resources and the legislature should act on the report’s recommendations with actions to strengthen reporting, enforce existing laws, prevent further abandonment of wells and ensure polluters pay for cleanup.—
Chicago Tribune,
Chicago Tribune,
1 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
In episode 9, the duo was hard at work picking whom to murder and throwing off the faithfuls from discovering their traitor identities.—
Bebe Hodges,
Cincinnati Enquirer,
13 Feb. 2026
-
Adam has been throwing off a mound since early December and, with Padres pitchers and catchers set for their first official workout of spring on Wednesday morning, is now throwing full-go bullpen sessions.—
Kevin Acee,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
11 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Calling off.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/calling%20off. Accessed 16 Feb. 2026.
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