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
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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
However, the press conference was called off as an unidentified man told waiting reporters that the family would not be stepping out.
—
Kimi Robinson, USA Today, 22 Apr. 2026
But as night came on, the search was called off.
—Miami Herald Archives, Miami Herald, 21 Apr. 2026
In the late afternoon, it was called off.
—Rafael Olmeda, Sun Sentinel, 21 Apr. 2026
The pursuit was called off in the area of Exit 13.
—Justin Muszynski, Hartford Courant, 20 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for call off
Kimi Robinson, USA Today, 22 Apr. 2026
But as night came on, the search was called off.
—Miami Herald Archives, Miami Herald, 21 Apr. 2026
In the late afternoon, it was called off.
—Rafael Olmeda, Sun Sentinel, 21 Apr. 2026
The pursuit was called off in the area of Exit 13.
—Justin Muszynski, Hartford Courant, 20 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for call off
Recent Examples of Synonyms for call off
Verb
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This white chocolate bar is creamy and ultra-sweet, and the great minds at TJ’s were smart to distract from the one-note flavor with crunchy little cookie crumbles.—
Alex Beggs,
Bon Appetit Magazine,
25 Apr. 2026
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The curators supply a historical backdrop, therefore, but discreetly, and without distracting us from Wright’s poetic originality.—
Julian Bell,
The New York Review of Books,
25 Apr. 2026
Verb
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They were also evacuated soon afterward, and the event canceled, to be rescheduled.—
Theresa Braine,
New York Daily News,
26 Apr. 2026
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The annual dinner was later canceled and will be rescheduled.—
Zach LaChance,
The Washington Examiner,
26 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Simply cut your downspout to the height of your rain barrel and divert water into it.—
Steve Bender,
Southern Living,
29 Apr. 2026
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But the shortages of Patriot defense systems remain a concern amid reports that the Pentagon is considering diverting advanced defensive weapons earmarked for Ukraine to the Middle East.—
Sudarsan Raghavan,
New Yorker,
28 Apr. 2026
Verb
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If the Eagles don’t fully abandon that style, Campbell could fit in nicely.—
Brooks Kubena,
New York Times,
25 Apr. 2026
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Just a few years later, in the fall of 2019, mountaineer Garrett Madison abandoned an Everest expedition due to another serac causing unsafe conditions in the Khumbu Icefall.—
Jessie Yeung,
CNN Money,
24 Apr. 2026
Verb
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That is a consideration for some test subjects, as the virtual reality environment can throw off sensitive stomachs.—
Kristin Shaw,
Popular Science,
30 Apr. 2026
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Otherwise, there was little evidence of factors that might be throwing off the results.—
ArsTechnica,
ArsTechnica,
29 Apr. 2026
Verb
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After an initial attempt to resume the event, it was scrapped for the night and will be rescheduled.—
Eric Tucker,
Chicago Tribune,
26 Apr. 2026
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However, the third act finale was scrapped after attorneys for the Jackson estate, who also served as a producer, realized there was a clause in a settlement with one of the singer’s accusers, Jordan Chandler, that barred the depiction or mention of him in any movie.—
Clayton Davis,
Variety,
25 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Already, the State Department has revoked the visas of several Morena lawmakers, including the governor of Baja California.—
Steve Fisher,
Los Angeles Times,
26 Apr. 2026
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Newsom's office said California has revoked more than 280 hospice licenses, maintained a moratorium on new providers and has hundreds more operators under investigation.—
Kurt Knutsson,
FOXNews.com,
26 Apr. 2026
Verb
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That flight had twice aborted takeoff and declared an emergency due to an odor onboard that was sickening flight attendants.—
Aaron Cooper,
CNN Money,
23 Apr. 2026
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Republic Airways said the flight, operating as American Airlines Flight 4464, aborted its initial landing attempt and performed a go-around during its approach into JFK.—
Greg Wehner,
FOXNews.com,
22 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Call off.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/call%20off. Accessed 2 May. 2026.
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