1
as in ending
to bring (as an action or operation) to an immediate end
the majority party cut off debate and forced a vote on the bill
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in separating
to set or keep apart from others
the dog cut off the one sheep that had to be sheared
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of cutting off
Among the opening acts of World War I, Britain severed Germany’s key telegraph cables, cutting off its communications with its forces.
—
Mostafa Salem, CNN Money, 17 May 2026
That includes Moscow cutting off natural gas supplies to Europe in retaliation for sanctions the West imposed after Russia invaded Ukraine.
—Jason Ma, Fortune, 17 May 2026
The judge ruled against cutting off the live feed, and Zilis’ testimony went ahead.
—David Ingram, NBC news, 15 May 2026
If no deal is reached, officials say enforcement actions could include liens on properties, legal action, andr, if necessary, service restrictions such as cutting off some or all water, including the hospitals.
—Verónica Egui Brito, Miami Herald, 15 May 2026
The war has closed the Strait of Hormuz, effectively cutting off one-fifth of global oil and LNG supplies.
—Megan Cerullo, CBS News, 24 Apr. 2026
If this is the case, then cutting off the water supply to this waterfall — to fill a dam or for irrigation, which happens — could harm the fish.
—Ari Daniel, NPR, 5 Apr. 2026
Retail connections faded as foot traffic disappeared, cutting off communication with buyers.
—J.m. Banks
march 21, Kansas City Star, 21 Mar. 2026
Bloomberg | Bloomberg | Getty Images The United Arab Emirates is considering cutting off Iranian access to billions of dollars held in the Gulf state, the Wall Street Journal reported Thursday.
—Anniek Bao, CNBC, 6 Mar. 2026
Mostafa Salem, CNN Money, 17 May 2026
That includes Moscow cutting off natural gas supplies to Europe in retaliation for sanctions the West imposed after Russia invaded Ukraine.
—Jason Ma, Fortune, 17 May 2026
The judge ruled against cutting off the live feed, and Zilis’ testimony went ahead.
—David Ingram, NBC news, 15 May 2026
If no deal is reached, officials say enforcement actions could include liens on properties, legal action, andr, if necessary, service restrictions such as cutting off some or all water, including the hospitals.
—Verónica Egui Brito, Miami Herald, 15 May 2026
The war has closed the Strait of Hormuz, effectively cutting off one-fifth of global oil and LNG supplies.
—Megan Cerullo, CBS News, 24 Apr. 2026
If this is the case, then cutting off the water supply to this waterfall — to fill a dam or for irrigation, which happens — could harm the fish.
—Ari Daniel, NPR, 5 Apr. 2026
Retail connections faded as foot traffic disappeared, cutting off communication with buyers.
—J.m. Banks
march 21, Kansas City Star, 21 Mar. 2026
Bloomberg | Bloomberg | Getty Images The United Arab Emirates is considering cutting off Iranian access to billions of dollars held in the Gulf state, the Wall Street Journal reported Thursday.
—Anniek Bao, CNBC, 6 Mar. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for cutting off
Verb
-
Announced Tuesday, the Mavericks and Kidd mutually agreed to part ways, ending a coaching tenure that began in 2021 and concluded with an even 205-205 regular-season record.—
Alejandro Avila OutKick,
FOXNews.com,
20 May 2026
-
Cuffe redshirted during the Jayhawks’ 2022 national championship season and then played in just two games for head coach Bill Self before suffering a season-ending injury in 2022-23.—
Gary Bedore
May 18,
Kansas City Star,
19 May 2026
Verb
-
The event has been criticized as promoting Christian nationalism and obscuring the lines separating church and state.—
Chandelis Duster,
NPR,
17 May 2026
-
The nation’s tradition of separating church and state, however, was not on display.—
Tiffany Stanley,
Los Angeles Times,
17 May 2026
Verb
-
Those unable to swim two lengths of the pool without stopping should have a parent remain close enough to reach them.—
Laura Berrios,
AJC.com,
19 May 2026
-
The storm never fully fired, and Lisius and George eventually made their way back to Arlington, stopping for tacos along the way.—
Emily Holshouser
May 19,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
19 May 2026
Verb
-
In past outbreaks of the Andes virus, taking steps such as isolating people who are sick — and asking those who aren’t sick but have been exposed to stay away from others — have brought outbreaks to an end.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
14 May 2026
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Plenty of teams have found joy by isolating Chelsea’s defenders with a long ball over the top and City are not above doing so.—
Cerys Jones,
New York Times,
13 May 2026
Verb
-
In the wake of Spirit Airlines suddenly ceasing operations on May 2, another airline is offering new direct flights – with three new routes coming to Pittsburgh International Airport.—
Finch Walker,
USA Today,
7 May 2026
-
The album consists of 10 tracks where the challenge has been to evolve without ceasing to be myself.—
Sarah Moreno
May 7,
Miami Herald,
7 May 2026
Verb
-
However, by the time Gordon completed the zoning process to transform the farmhouse, the 2008 financial crisis hit, halting her plans.—
William Deffaa,
Baltimore Sun,
14 May 2026
-
Antioxidants neutralize free radicals by donating electrons to stabilize reactive molecules without becoming harmful themselves, thereby halting oxidative damage and protecting cells and tissues.—
Lana Barhum,
Verywell Health,
13 May 2026
Verb
-
Tehran cemented its grip on the Strait of Hormuz; a few more tankers managed to pass through in the last few days, albeit only by either negotiating in advance with Iran, or by shutting off their transponders and racing through.—
Tim McDonnell,
semafor.com,
14 May 2026
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Don’t try to handle a squatter yourself by changing locks, hauling out belongings or shutting off utilities — Texas law treats that as a self-help eviction and can backfire if the person turns out to have tenant rights, making court eviction the required route in landlord-tenant cases.—
Tiffani Jackson,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
11 May 2026
Verb
-
Honduras established diplomatic ties with China in 2023 after breaking off relations with Taiwan.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
8 May 2026
-
Filed by First Nations groups in Alberta, the lawsuit argues that the province breaking off from Canada would violate treaty rights.—
Chantelle Lee,
Time,
5 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Cutting off.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/cutting%20off. Accessed 20 May. 2026.
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