1
as in distracts
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
2
as in cancels
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 calls off
The president calls off plans to send the National Guard to San Francisco.
—
Christian Orozco, NBC news, 24 Oct. 2025
Christian Orozco, NBC news, 24 Oct. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for calls off
Verb
-
Reading chairs can become hotspots for clutter, which distracts from rest.—
Shagun Khare,
The Spruce,
11 Mar. 2026
-
Investigators said one of the men distracts the victim while another watches the victim input their PIN on the keypad.—
Matthew Rodriguez,
CBS News,
5 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
If an airline cancels a flight or a connection becomes impossible, passengers are typically entitled to rebook or request refunds, depending on the airline’s policies.—
Hana Al-Khodairi,
Condé Nast Traveler,
11 Mar. 2026
-
If a friend cancels or a team changes venues, respond with alternate options rather than vague guilt.—
Tarot.com,
Hartford Courant,
23 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Energy infrastructure under attack threatens global supplies as shipping diverts from critical trade routes, potentially sparking economic shocks worldwide and reshaping energy markets.—
Julia Frankel,
Los Angeles Times,
3 Mar. 2026
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Other recommendations included repealing any crime-free nuisance ordinances around housing, establishing an Office of Immigrant and Refugee Rights and creating a program that diverts young people away from the justice system.—
R. Christian Smith,
Chicago Tribune,
22 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
The end of the pilot offers one option, then tries it out again at the end of Episode 2, and then abandons it for the rest of the season.—
Ben Travers,
IndieWire,
13 Mar. 2026
-
Sometimes the game simply abandons you.—
Mike Bianchi,
The Orlando Sentinel,
7 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Using a Rug That’s Too Small A too-small rug instantly throws off the entire room.—
Angelika Pokovba,
Martha Stewart,
3 Mar. 2026
-
The spin is being closely watched as a statement on the future of cable, which throws off significant cash but has been in rapid decline as viewers migrate to streaming.—
Jill Goldsmith,
Deadline,
5 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
But then Belly scraps her Parisian plans and pledges her young life to Jeremiah, a rising super senior at Finch majoring in getting high and going to Cabo (which, quite honestly, is more age-appropriate than a wedding).—
Vogue,
Vogue,
11 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
The Department of Investigation in an April 2024 report found fault with how the NYPD, the Department of Transportation and Department of Education issues and revokes parking permits.—
Rocco Parascandola,
New York Daily News,
10 Mar. 2026
-
Among other things, the legislation adds work requirements for able-bodied adults starting in January 2027, revokes Medicaid access to some immigrants, including refugees and people seeking asylum, and checks whether someone is eligible for the program every six months instead of every year.—
Kate Wolffe,
Sacbee.com,
29 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
In the event that an operator aborts an interception, the drone will fly back to base ready to be used again — a potential major cost-saver.—
Alex Holmes,
NBC news,
12 Nov. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Calls off.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/calls%20off. Accessed 18 Mar. 2026.
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