1
as in to stop
to bring (as an action or operation) to an immediate end
the judge broke off court proceedings until after lunch
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to end
to come to an end
talks between the two sides broke off when one began making unreasonable demands
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 break off
What is currently the countries of Djibouti, Ethiopia, and Eritrea could be slowly moving away from the rest of the continent, eventually breaking off and allowing water from the Indian Ocean to rush in to fill the gap.
—
Katie Nadworny, Travel + Leisure, 14 May 2025
In the aftermath, KTLA reported that there was noticeable damage to the front gate of the residence, with the retractable arm broken off behind the gate.
—Natalie Oganesyan, Deadline, 5 May 2025
During the 2002 or 2003 competition, Chris Sharma first sent a 14-foot overhang called Captain Hook (V12), but since then, a crucial hold had broken off.
—Sam MacIlwaine, Outside Online, 4 May 2025
Just like gel nails, nail strips are cured with a UV light and can last up to two weeks without chipping or breaking off.
—Kleigh Balugo, StyleCaster, 1 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for break off
Katie Nadworny, Travel + Leisure, 14 May 2025
In the aftermath, KTLA reported that there was noticeable damage to the front gate of the residence, with the retractable arm broken off behind the gate.
—Natalie Oganesyan, Deadline, 5 May 2025
During the 2002 or 2003 competition, Chris Sharma first sent a 14-foot overhang called Captain Hook (V12), but since then, a crucial hold had broken off.
—Sam MacIlwaine, Outside Online, 4 May 2025
Just like gel nails, nail strips are cured with a UV light and can last up to two weeks without chipping or breaking off.
—Kleigh Balugo, StyleCaster, 1 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for break off
Recent Examples of Synonyms for break off
Verb
-
The chase reportedly ended when Buckley wrecked near the intersection of Watts and McAlister streets, an area of mostly forest about 1 1/2 miles southeast of where Buckley was first stopped.—
Grant Lancaster,
Arkansas Online,
25 May 2025
-
It's been hard for any team to stop Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, who was named the regular season MVP.—
Tyler Everett,
MSNBC Newsweek,
24 May 2025
Verb
-
Strategically, Hamas has sought all along to use the hostages as a bargaining chip to constrain Israel and force it to end the war—and thereby guarantee Hamas’s own survival.—
Assaf Orion,
Foreign Affairs,
3 June 2025
-
But since the spring legislative session ended, Ford has had joint meetings with cannabis and hemp operators in an attempt to reach some compromise.—
Robert McCoppin,
Chicago Tribune,
3 June 2025
Verb
-
Yet, for some time now, there has been a third movement that tends to be articulated more in art than elsewhere, even if elsewhere there has long since ceased to be any alternative.—
Diedrich Diederichsen,
Artforum,
1 June 2025
-
The mayor also said that late-night establishments and all nightclubs must cease operations at midnight.—
Becca Longmire,
People.com,
30 May 2025
Verb
-
Be sure safety equipment is not expired or damaged.—
Stephen Underwood,
Hartford Courant,
3 June 2025
-
Given the impending deadline, some strategists argue that the United States should engage Russia in a new nuclear agreement and that the way to do so is to open negotiations while continuing to abide by the limits set by New START even after the treaty expires, in early 2026.—
Eric S. Edelman,
Foreign Affairs,
3 June 2025
Verb
-
The administration could ask the Supreme Court to halt the ruling as early as Friday.—
Alex Harring,Sawdah Bhaimiya,
CNBC,
29 May 2025
-
The ruling halts the president's tariffs in nearly every country, though the White House is all but certain to appeal the decision.—
Danielle Chemtob,
Forbes.com,
29 May 2025
Verb
-
When this period of rapid expansion concludes, Nvidia’s valuation will likely drop significantly.—
Trefis Team,
Forbes.com,
29 May 2025
-
As the in-person portion of this year’s milestone edition concludes, Animayo continues to cement its reputation as a global hub for creative innovation, storytelling, and visual excellence.—
Jamie Lang,
Variety,
29 May 2025
Verb
-
For example, quitting is one of the hardest moments to avoid tears.—
Dr. Diane Hamilton,
Forbes.com,
28 May 2025
-
When an instance of misconduct is alleged and the investigation begins to make some headway, the police or corrections officer might quit or retire.—
Kevin Rennie,
Hartford Courant,
24 May 2025
Verb
-
The final week of the regular session left Democrats angry with Republicans over the majority party’s decision to cut off multiple filibusters.—
Jonathan Shorman,
Kansas City Star,
28 May 2025
-
To do so, the EU could cut off the remaining imports of Russian pipeline gas and LNG.—
David McHugh,
Los Angeles Times,
28 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Break off.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/break%20off. Accessed 6 Jun. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share