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
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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
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of call off
Asher and McCartney called off their engagement in 1968.
—
Anna Cafolla, Vogue, 3 Apr. 2025
But the police investigation was called off on March 7 after autopsy results came in and showed that the couple’s deaths were due to natural causes.
—Martha Ross, Mercury News, 2 Apr. 2025
Wendy Davis was called for a foul on the last play of the game but after a consultation between the two officials – one of whom was Kantner – Kantner called off the foul and the game was over.
—Lori Riley, Hartford Courant, 31 Mar. 2025
After the woman was rescued, a Fort Worth Fire Department dive team continued searching the river for the infant or other possible victims, but no one else had been found when the car was pulled out of the water and the search was called off late Saturday night, police said.
—Shambhavi Rimal, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 23 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for call off
Anna Cafolla, Vogue, 3 Apr. 2025
But the police investigation was called off on March 7 after autopsy results came in and showed that the couple’s deaths were due to natural causes.
—Martha Ross, Mercury News, 2 Apr. 2025
Wendy Davis was called for a foul on the last play of the game but after a consultation between the two officials – one of whom was Kantner – Kantner called off the foul and the game was over.
—Lori Riley, Hartford Courant, 31 Mar. 2025
After the woman was rescued, a Fort Worth Fire Department dive team continued searching the river for the infant or other possible victims, but no one else had been found when the car was pulled out of the water and the search was called off late Saturday night, police said.
—Shambhavi Rimal, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 23 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for call off
Recent Examples of Synonyms for call off
Verb
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While most of the acting is wonderful (Wyle is predictably great, but so is just about all of the main cast), some patient-of-the-week players err towards distracting histrionics.—
Judy Berman,
Time,
11 Apr. 2025
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The one who got distracted by the minstrel did not finish last.—
Erik Kain,
Forbes.com,
10 Apr. 2025
Verb
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The government last month canceled $400 million in funding for Columbia and threatened to withhold billions more, accusing the university in New York of not doing enough to combat antisemitism and to ensure student safety amid last year's Gaza encampment campus protests.—
Zac Anderson,
USA Today,
14 Apr. 2025
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The Titans recently cancelled pre-draft workouts with Travis Hunter and Shedeur Sanders, all but guaranteeing that Ward is the pick here.—
Thomas G. Moukawsher,
MSNBC Newsweek,
14 Apr. 2025
Verb
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When a relationship ends, diverting one’s attention through engaging activities (like hobbies, fitness or work) allows the mind to recalibrate.—
Mark Travers,
Forbes.com,
13 Apr. 2025
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For Bristol native Victor Rosa, who wasn’t able to contribute much to the program’s first winning campaign in 14 years after an early season injury, there wasn’t anything that would divert his focus.—
Joe Arruda,
Hartford Courant,
13 Apr. 2025
Verb
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Heading them is none other than Robert Keller, who wasn’t killed after all, and now blames his big bro for abandoning him.—
Dennis Harvey,
Variety,
11 Apr. 2025
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The Indonesian government was floating a moratorium to stop the construction of new hotels, villas and nightclubs in Bali, in an effort to curb over tourism—an idea that was abandoned at the start of the year.—
Michelle Tchea,
Robb Report,
10 Apr. 2025
Verb
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Reliever Michael Kopech is scheduled to throw off a bullpen mound this weekend for the first time since going on the IL because of a shoulder impingement on March 17 but is weeks away from a return.—
Mike Digiovanna,
Oc Register,
11 Apr. 2025
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He’s scheduled to throw off a mound on April 15 and 18 then throw live batting practice on April 23.—
Andrew Wagner,
Forbes.com,
7 Apr. 2025
Verb
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January/February’s installment was also scrapped for financial reasons (though the Los Angeles wildfires would have canceled the tour anyway).—
Tony Maglio,
HollywoodReporter,
2 Apr. 2025
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The bill passed in the Senate last session and was included in an original continuing resolution in the House but was scrapped during negotiations.—
Miranda Nazzaro,
The Hill,
2 Apr. 2025
Verb
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On Monday, the Department of Homeland Security revoked the legal status of the immigrants who used that app.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
12 Apr. 2025
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Four University of Florida students have had their visas revoked, the university’s director of public affairs told CNN Friday.—
Kathleen Magramo,
CNN Money,
12 Apr. 2025
Verb
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Although Hague is completing his second spaceflight, the astronaut has actually launched three times: A rocket mishap in 2018 forced him and a Russian crewmate to abort their mission shortly after liftoff.—
NBC News,
NBC News,
19 Mar. 2025
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The probe comes amid a series of safety incidents and a week after an American Airlines flight arriving at Ronald Reagan airport in Arlington, Virginia, was forced to abort a landing in an effort to avoid another aircraft.—
Louis Casiano,
Fox News,
3 Mar. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Call off.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/call%20off. Accessed 18 Apr. 2025.
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