1
as in distracted
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 canceled
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 called off
In early April rescuers called off the effort to save the creature, which had repeatedly become stuck on sandbanks and seemed in bad physical shape.
—
K. R. Callaway, Scientific American, 30 Apr. 2026
Fans remained optimistic by gathering in the city and singing along to her top hits and trading their signature friendship bracelets after the performances were called off.
—Gina Kalsi, PEOPLE, 28 Apr. 2026
That was the plan until DeCosta called off a blockbuster trade and all hell broke loose, with much of the public vitriol directed his way.
—Michael Silver, New York Times, 27 Apr. 2026
And this morning, even the next round of talks called off.
—ABC News, 26 Apr. 2026
Rumors had previously emerged that the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix in Jeddah, which was also called off because of the Iran war, could rejoin the schedule after Abu Dhabi.
—Justin Birnbaum, Sportico.com, 23 Apr. 2026
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
K. R. Callaway, Scientific American, 30 Apr. 2026
Fans remained optimistic by gathering in the city and singing along to her top hits and trading their signature friendship bracelets after the performances were called off.
—Gina Kalsi, PEOPLE, 28 Apr. 2026
That was the plan until DeCosta called off a blockbuster trade and all hell broke loose, with much of the public vitriol directed his way.
—Michael Silver, New York Times, 27 Apr. 2026
And this morning, even the next round of talks called off.
—ABC News, 26 Apr. 2026
Rumors had previously emerged that the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix in Jeddah, which was also called off because of the Iran war, could rejoin the schedule after Abu Dhabi.
—Justin Birnbaum, Sportico.com, 23 Apr. 2026
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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for called off
Verb
-
Portland couldn’t figure out how to pass off help assignments to deal with the downhill speed of San Antonio’s guards and wings, with the Blazers’ centers distracted on the perimeter.—
Christian Clark,
New York Times,
26 Apr. 2026
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The report also indicated the driver of the black truck was not suspected of being on drugs or alcohol and was not distracted when the crash happened.—
Steve Maugeri,
CBS News,
25 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Last week, there were reports in at least three other counties — Brevard, Leon and Palm Beach — that 2026 court elections were being canceled as resignations and retirements of circuit court judges, right before the qualifying period, created vacancies that mandate gubernatorial appointments.—
Norine Dworkin,
The Orlando Sentinel,
27 Apr. 2026
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In a Facebook post on Monday, the town announced that the event had been canceled.—
Ashley Hume,
FOXNews.com,
27 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Shortly thereafter, all of the engineering and technological work that had been devoted to the development of television since the mid-1920s was diverted to military purposes to support the war effort.—
Cynthia Littleton,
Variety,
30 Apr. 2026
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Police say traffic in the area has been diverted.—
Ana Maria Soler,
CBS News,
29 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Where a victim has deliberately been lured to a potentially dangerous setting and then abandoned, the perpetrator may be suffering from a personality disorder, Hemmings said.—
Sophie Tanno,
CNN Money,
26 Apr. 2026
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Abused, neglected, abandoned pigs At Willeyville Farm, Houk and, Jones-Willey and other volunteers were recently caring for about 40 pigs, with the goal of finding them adoptive homes.—
Eric Adler
April 26,
Kansas City Star,
26 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
The free show was scrapped at the last minute.—
Jimmy Jellinek,
SPIN,
27 Apr. 2026
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Plans to build that economy around a unique LegacyCoin had been scrapped in favor of a complex system where players used Gems (earned in-game or purchased directly from Gala with crypto or dollars) to purchase entries in design popularity contests that ran almost continuously.—
ArsTechnica,
ArsTechnica,
27 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Licensees apply for renewals every eight years, and licenses are virtually never revoked.—
Brian Stelter,
CNN Money,
28 Apr. 2026
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Bahrain revoked citizenship from 69 individuals accused of being sympathetic to Iran.—
Dominic Dudley,
semafor.com,
28 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
Verb
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The ban was repealed on May 14, 2008.—
Kori Rumore,
Chicago Tribune,
26 Apr. 2026
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Heaton noted that a similar fee was in place from 2011 to 2017 but was ultimately repealed after rural homeowners argued they were being unfairly targeted.—
Brady Halbleib,
CBS News,
24 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Called off.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/called%20off. Accessed 2 May. 2026.
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