1
as in stopped
to bring (as an action or operation) to an immediate end
the judge broke off court proceedings until after lunch
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in expired
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
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Recent Examples of broke off
As OutKick previously reported, Megan broke off her relationship with the NBA star last week after accusing him of cheating.
—
Amber Harding Outkick, FOXNews.com, 27 Apr. 2026
Sources confirm to People and TMZ that Zoë Kravitz and Channing Tatum broke off their engagement after three years together.
—Hannah Madlener, Glamour, 24 Apr. 2026
While other hummingbirds seemed primarily focused on the nectar, some occasionally broke off and darted into the insect cloud.
—Ernie Cowan, San Diego Union-Tribune, 12 Apr. 2026
When talks broke off in March, prospects of reaching a deal by May 31 appeared bleak.
—Mike Jones, New York Times, 10 Apr. 2026
The stabbing was so forceful that the tip of the knife broke off inside the officer’s head, Chamberlain said, but the officer was able to fire his gun and shoot the man during the attack.
—Katie Langford, Denver Post, 9 Apr. 2026
The victim fought off Mohammed after being stabbed, holding onto the blade of a kitchen knife using a towel until the blade broke off the handle.
—Carlos E. Castañeda, CBS News, 7 Apr. 2026
The studios negotiated for more than a month with the performers’ union in February and March, but broke off in order to turn their attention to the writers.
—Gene Maddaus, Variety, 4 Apr. 2026
Sixty yards beyond, the ridge broke off sharply in three directions.
—Charles Elliott, Outdoor Life, 2 Apr. 2026
Amber Harding Outkick, FOXNews.com, 27 Apr. 2026
Sources confirm to People and TMZ that Zoë Kravitz and Channing Tatum broke off their engagement after three years together.
—Hannah Madlener, Glamour, 24 Apr. 2026
While other hummingbirds seemed primarily focused on the nectar, some occasionally broke off and darted into the insect cloud.
—Ernie Cowan, San Diego Union-Tribune, 12 Apr. 2026
When talks broke off in March, prospects of reaching a deal by May 31 appeared bleak.
—Mike Jones, New York Times, 10 Apr. 2026
The stabbing was so forceful that the tip of the knife broke off inside the officer’s head, Chamberlain said, but the officer was able to fire his gun and shoot the man during the attack.
—Katie Langford, Denver Post, 9 Apr. 2026
The victim fought off Mohammed after being stabbed, holding onto the blade of a kitchen knife using a towel until the blade broke off the handle.
—Carlos E. Castañeda, CBS News, 7 Apr. 2026
The studios negotiated for more than a month with the performers’ union in February and March, but broke off in order to turn their attention to the writers.
—Gene Maddaus, Variety, 4 Apr. 2026
Sixty yards beyond, the ridge broke off sharply in three directions.
—Charles Elliott, Outdoor Life, 2 Apr. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for broke off
Verb
-
In a preliminary injunction, Judge Robert Pitman stopped short of ordering a temporary air conditioning remedy.—
Leigh Waldman,
CNN Money,
26 Apr. 2026
-
Swayman stopped the puck but had to freeze it for a defensive-zone faceoff.—
Fluto Shinzawa,
New York Times,
26 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
This comes as one-time pandemic relief aid has expired.—
Howard Blume,
Los Angeles Times,
30 Apr. 2026
-
The union’s three-year contract expired last August.—
Chicago Tribune,
Chicago Tribune,
30 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Williams promised an investigation but ceased communications.—
News Desk,
Artforum,
29 Apr. 2026
-
Rodent issues at Angel Stadium had ceased since a 2007 report in The Times that the stadium had been cited 118 times for vermin violations in the previous two years.—
Steve Henson,
Los Angeles Times,
28 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
His step-back jumper with 32 seconds left was the exclamation point, a shot that ended Orlando’s final push and extended Detroit’s season.—
Mike Bianchi,
The Orlando Sentinel,
30 Apr. 2026
-
The program was created by Congress to help quickly protect nationals of countries that, as a result of natural or man-made disasters, were dangerous for people to return to, with routine reevaluations to decide if the protections would be extended or ended.—
New York Daily News Editorial Board,
New York Daily News,
29 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
The Pittsburgh Penguins staved off elimination for the second straight game with a clutch Game 5 win over the Philadelphia Flyers on Monday night, but celebrations were briefly halted when a skirmish erupted over a controversial hit on Sidney Crosby after the final buzzer.—
Paulina Dedaj,
FOXNews.com,
28 Apr. 2026
-
The two biggest steel producers, Mobarakeh Steel and Khuzestan Steel, as well as smaller mills, halted production.—
Amir-Hussein Radjy,
Los Angeles Times,
28 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Tatum was fast asleep in the car in a further cute image, as the carousel concluded with another selfie of Kardashian and True.—
Becca Longmire,
PEOPLE,
27 Apr. 2026
-
Independent analysts have concluded that after all the changes so far have effectively produced a draw.—
Anthony Man,
Sun Sentinel,
27 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Research published last year on Japanese nursing homes found that robot adoption reduced worker quit rates and was associated with better care quality.—
Catherine Thorbecke,
Twin Cities,
25 Apr. 2026
-
While Rose and Blue had both worked for the same software company, Rose had quit her job, and Blue was expected to return to work on April 1, but did not.—
Ingrid Vasquez,
PEOPLE,
25 Apr. 2026
Verb
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The official blamed the lack of trucks entering Gaza on the nearly impossible registration process for aid organizations that are expected to pick up where UNRWA left off.—
Matt Bradley,
NBC news,
25 Apr. 2026
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Allowing for the show to pick up where Season 8, the original finale left off, the cast camaraderie is just as strong now as ever.—
Amanda Champagne-Meadows,
Deadline,
25 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Broke off.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/broke%20off. Accessed 2 May. 2026.
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