1
as in dismissing
to express scornfully one's low opinion of
most critics have already written off that director as a hack incapable of turning out anything but schlock
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in reducing
to diminish the price or value of
that one blunder will write off to nothing all the goodwill we've been building up
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of writing off
To disregard Sephora and its fans would be like writing off Bravo Con or Comic Con.
—
Marisa Meltzer, Vanity Fair, 7 Apr. 2026
In addition to changing federal regulations, such as the end of up to $7,500 in federal tax credits, the R2 comes to market as many automakers are pulling back their EV plans or writing off billions of dollars in losses amid slower-than-expected adoption of the vehicles.
—Michael Wayland, CNBC, 12 Mar. 2026
Instead of writing off the cost of certain assets over several years, businesses can generally deduct the full cost upfront, within limits.
—Forbes Money Team, Forbes.com, 26 Jan. 2026
Also since the press conference, some doctors have begun writing off-label prescriptions for autistic children, against the advice of medical groups including the American Academy of Pediatrics.
—Jon Hamilton, NPR, 22 Jan. 2026
The mistake is writing off these sayings as coach speak.
—Daniel Popper, New York Times, 22 Sep. 2025
No one is writing off the Lions by any means (Detroit and Green Bay have the shortest odds to win the NFC after Philadelphia).
—Tyler Everett, MSNBC Newsweek, 7 Sep. 2025
Playoff hopes may be dimming, but the New England Revolution is not writing off the 2025 season as its front office presses on with an active summer transfer window.
—Julian Cardillo, Boston Herald, 14 Aug. 2025
Marisa Meltzer, Vanity Fair, 7 Apr. 2026
In addition to changing federal regulations, such as the end of up to $7,500 in federal tax credits, the R2 comes to market as many automakers are pulling back their EV plans or writing off billions of dollars in losses amid slower-than-expected adoption of the vehicles.
—Michael Wayland, CNBC, 12 Mar. 2026
Instead of writing off the cost of certain assets over several years, businesses can generally deduct the full cost upfront, within limits.
—Forbes Money Team, Forbes.com, 26 Jan. 2026
Also since the press conference, some doctors have begun writing off-label prescriptions for autistic children, against the advice of medical groups including the American Academy of Pediatrics.
—Jon Hamilton, NPR, 22 Jan. 2026
The mistake is writing off these sayings as coach speak.
—Daniel Popper, New York Times, 22 Sep. 2025
No one is writing off the Lions by any means (Detroit and Green Bay have the shortest odds to win the NFC after Philadelphia).
—Tyler Everett, MSNBC Newsweek, 7 Sep. 2025
Playoff hopes may be dimming, but the New England Revolution is not writing off the 2025 season as its front office presses on with an active summer transfer window.
—Julian Cardillo, Boston Herald, 14 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for writing off
Verb
-
Federal lawyers said judges made mistakes in dismissing the cases by arguing the Civil Rights Act granted the attorney general access to local voting records.—
Bart Jansen,
USA Today,
27 Apr. 2026
-
Quit dismissing them as uneducated.—
Ashley Hume,
FOXNews.com,
27 Apr. 2026
Verb
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These will compete with strawberries for nutrients and space—worse, cabbage leaves will create shade, reducing flower and fruit production.—
Helena Madden,
Martha Stewart,
2 May 2026
-
Supporters of a rescue including labor unions representing Spirit’s pilots, flight attendants and ramp workers said a collapse would put thousands of Americans out of work and hurt consumers by reducing airline competition and increasing airfares.—
Aamer Madhani,
Fortune,
2 May 2026
Verb
-
The southern site also would not require the creation of a new quarry for dam materials, minimizing environmental impacts.—
Elise Schmelzer,
Denver Post,
1 May 2026
-
By spacing screenings to every two years, the ACP argues the tradeoff between early detection and minimizing those harms shifts in most women’s favor.—
Allison Palmer,
Sacbee.com,
30 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
In the present day, Aunt Lydia is writing down her life story and recalling the early days of Gilead.—
Clare Mulroy,
USA Today,
16 Apr. 2026
-
And because phones are often lost or stolen, Silvestro is constantly writing down her own number — on a hat, under a bridge — in the hopes that people call.—
Blake Nelson,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
15 Mar. 2026
Verb
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In February 2025, Hathaway and Hartnett were spotted filming Verity in New York City, photographed running down the street while wearing semi-formal attire and holding hands.—
Angel Saunders,
PEOPLE,
28 Apr. 2026
-
Tuesday’s game ended with defensive replacement Will Benson, acquired in exchange for Hajjar ahead of the 2023 season, running down a long drive by San Francisco’s Daniel Susac to secure the victory.—
C. Trent Rosecrans,
New York Times,
15 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
By marking down the collateral for that leverage, JPMorgan is reducing the ability of private credit firms to borrow against their loans, and in some cases could even force firms to post more collateral.—
Hugh Son,
CNBC,
11 Mar. 2026
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The store is continually marking down wedding dresses and other items, with discounts currently reaching as high as 50% off.—
Jenna Thompson,
Kansas City Star,
25 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Politicos everywhere are talking down Johnson’s chances.—
Laura Washington,
Chicago Tribune,
25 Mar. 2026
-
During his remarks, Beshear accused Vance, whose memoir explores issues such as poverty and the lack of opportunity in Appalachia and the Rust Belt, of talking down to the people of Kentucky.—
Hannah Demissie,
ABC News,
22 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Fans’ attachment is largely to the kids, who aren’t kids anymore, and ’80s nostalgia, which is a diminishing resource.—
Ben Travers,
IndieWire,
23 Apr. 2026
-
The densest areas fragment first, diminishing further in size.—
Big Think,
Big Think,
20 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Writing off.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/writing%20off. Accessed 3 May. 2026.
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