1
as in to distract
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
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to cancel
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
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 call off
Netanyahu’s remarks on Tuesday, however, are raising concerns the fragile deal will be called off before the remaining hostages are freed.
—
Michael Collins, USA TODAY, 11 Feb. 2025
Searchers tried again to locate the car using sonar and video imaging software but were unsuccessful, ultimately calling off their search just before 9:45 p.m., CHP officials said.
—Darrell Smith, Sacramento Bee, 4 Feb. 2025
Bésame Mucho, a celebration of Latin music, was also called off.
—George Varga, San Diego Union-Tribune, 14 Feb. 2025
One year after her fiancé Jason (Jay Pharoah) suddenly calls off their wedding, aspiring pop star Erica Wilson (Christina Milian, once more) books a gig in paradise, the East African island of Mauritius, only to discover she’s been hired to perform at his nuptials.
—Shannon Carlin, TIME, 14 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for call off
Michael Collins, USA TODAY, 11 Feb. 2025
Searchers tried again to locate the car using sonar and video imaging software but were unsuccessful, ultimately calling off their search just before 9:45 p.m., CHP officials said.
—Darrell Smith, Sacramento Bee, 4 Feb. 2025
Bésame Mucho, a celebration of Latin music, was also called off.
—George Varga, San Diego Union-Tribune, 14 Feb. 2025
One year after her fiancé Jason (Jay Pharoah) suddenly calls off their wedding, aspiring pop star Erica Wilson (Christina Milian, once more) books a gig in paradise, the East African island of Mauritius, only to discover she’s been hired to perform at his nuptials.
—Shannon Carlin, TIME, 14 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for call off
Recent Examples of Synonyms for call off
Verb
-
Have we been distracted too much by all the verbal fireworks this season from CK, Phillip, and Seychelle to notice that Lete is an absolute assassin out there?—
Dalton Ross,
EW.com,
5 Mar. 2025
-
Grave screamed for help, but security personnel were distracted by the game and not paying attention, the lawsuit said.—
Louis Casiano,
Fox News,
4 Mar. 2025
Verb
-
South Korean law allows prosecutors to continue to hold a suspect while pursuing an appeal, even after the suspect's arrest is canceled by a court.—
arkansasonline.com,
arkansasonline.com,
9 Mar. 2025
-
First, the Eye network canceled the FBI spinoffs FBI: Most Wanted and FBI: International.—
Marc Berman,
Forbes,
9 Mar. 2025
Verb
-
Rather than addressing these critical security threats, the Pakistani military’s resources have been diverted to a campaign of vengeance against political opponents such as PTI.—
Imran Khan,
TIME,
28 Feb. 2025
-
The money has to come from somewhere — most of the time, it’s diverted from its emerging markets competitor India.—
Seema Mody,
CNBC,
27 Feb. 2025
Verb
-
The suspension of programs supporting the promotion of democracy in authoritarian countries, a bipartisan U.S. foreign policy for decades, has left experts wondering if the Trump administration has abandoned that goal.—
Nora Gámez Torres,
Miami Herald,
6 Mar. 2025
-
High in the thin Alaskan air, where abundant oxygen had long abandoned such firmaments for lower altitude, five women knelt circled against the piercing cold.—
Cassidy Randall,
Forbes,
6 Mar. 2025
Verb
-
The shift can throw off sleep schedules and make mornings more challenging, leaving millions searching for a quick solution.—
Emily Price,
Forbes,
2 Mar. 2025
-
Using vaginal estrogen: A drop in estrogen levels after menopause (cessation of menstrual periods) can throw off the balance of vaginal bacteria.—
Matthew Wosnitzer,
Verywell Health,
28 Feb. 2025
Verb
-
That's why Russell thinks the tariffs are likely to be reduced, postponed or scrapped.—
Lauren Villagran,
USA TODAY,
27 Feb. 2025
-
Congressional leaders could soon scrap weeks of budget talks in favor of a simple funding extension as Republicans weigh the best strategy to avert a government shutdown.—
David Sivak,
Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government,
26 Feb. 2025
Verb
-
The Education Department cannot simply revoke forgiveness from someone overnight without going through the proper rulemaking (and overcoming legal hurdles).—
Shahar Ziv,
Forbes,
8 Mar. 2025
-
Bumgardner’s license was revoked for 24 hours, and he was released after being ordered to appear in court next week.—
Julia Bonavita,
Fox News,
8 Mar. 2025
Verb
-
SpaceX aborted the deorbit burn and instead passivated the upper stage, a process where the rocket discharges energy from its batteries and vents leftover propellant from its tanks to minimize the risk of a break-up in orbit.—
Stephen Clark,
Ars Technica,
28 Feb. 2025
-
Although the runway had been cleared, Mesa Airlines pilots spotted the other aircraft and aborted their landing.—
Aaron Cooper,
CNN,
28 Feb. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Call off.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/call%20off. Accessed 13 Mar. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share