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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Recent Examples of Synonyms for calls off
Verb
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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 -
But Democratic leaders said the plan distracts from more urgent legislative priorities and is unlikely to move forward.—
Sacbee.com,
Sacbee.com,
29 Aug. 2025
Verb
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The Federal Emergency Management Agency cancels National Fire Training Academy classes.—
Domenico Montanaro,
NPR,
14 Mar. 2025
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SpaceX cancels a launch to bring astronauts home.—
Taylor Wilson,
USA TODAY,
13 Mar. 2025
Verb
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This invites empathy, diverts the conversation toward healing rather than fault-finding and helps both partners challenge the automatic assumption that blame is the only way to respond.—
Mark Travers,
Forbes.com,
15 Sep. 2025
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That type of financing essentially diverts the growth in taxes that comes after redevelopment so it can be invested in ways that support the project.—
Elliott Wenzler,
Denver Post,
9 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Some of them are barely recipes at all; sometimes Nosrat abandons the form entirely.—
Dan Kois,
New Yorker,
17 Sep. 2025
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But Pueblo County business and political leaders say the plan endorsed by the PUC abandons their region, which has a high poverty rate.—
Judith Kohler,
Denver Post,
11 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Comcast and all traditional media companies faced a choice amid cable’s inexorable decline as subscribers dwindle but the business still throws off cash.—
Jill Goldsmith,
Deadline,
4 Sep. 2025
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One particularly large one in the garden’s center throws off drama that the surrounding cape marguerite and its daisylike flowers can’t compete with.—
Caron Golden,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
16 Aug. 2025
Verb
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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
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Termination can occur immediately if the NBPA suspends or revokes an agent’s certification, but Turner capably performed his duties.—
Michael McCann,
Sportico.com,
12 Sep. 2025
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If Cal Fire revokes the licenses, Devastating Pyrotechnics owner Kenneth Chee and BlackStar Fireworks owner Craig Cutright could be fined and will be barred from reapplying for the licenses for one year.—
Daniel Lempres,
Sacbee.com,
16 Aug. 2025
Verb
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Prompt recalls help prevent accidents, protect vulnerable consumers, and hold manufacturers accountable, reinforcing trust in product safety standards and regulatory oversight.—
Daniel Orton,
MSNBC Newsweek,
19 Sep. 2025
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McLachlan recalls to filmmakers.—
Rachel Brodsky,
Rolling Stone,
19 Sep. 2025
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Cite this Entry
“Calls off.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/calls%20off. Accessed 20 Sep. 2025.
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