call off

verb

called off; calling off; calls off
Synonyms of call offnext

transitive verb

1
: to draw away : divert
2
: cancel

Synonyms of call off

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Examples of call off in a Sentence

she was about to tell me the big news when her attention was called off by the arrival of another guest called off the party after half of those invited couldn't make it
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
After Trump called off the attacks, the likelihood on Kalshi that a nuclear deal would happen before January 2027 jumped to 29% early Sunday morning from 17% on Saturday evening. — Ananya Chetia, CNBC, 3 Aug. 2026 Trump called off plans to strike Iran’s energy infrastructure over the weekend after Tehran and regional mediators asked to restart peace talks. — Christian Datoc, The Washington Examiner, 3 Aug. 2026 Trump has since called off the strikes, citing a progress in talks. — Sophie Tanno, CNN Money, 2 Aug. 2026 In the wake of the killings, UMWA leaders Fred Mooney and Frank Keeney called off plans to send large numbers of organizers into Mingo county to be arrested and overwhelm the county jails out of fear that their men might be killed as well. — Elijah Tanall, Encyclopedia Britannica, 29 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for call off

Word History

First Known Use

1606, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of call off was in 1606

Rhymes for call off

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Browse Nearby Words

callo-
call off
call office
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Cite this Entry

“Call off.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/call%20off. Accessed 5 Aug. 2026.

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Kids Definition

call off

verb
1
: to draw away : divert
call off a dog
2
: cancel sense 2a
call off a meeting

More from Merriam-Webster on call off

Nglish: Translation of call off for Spanish Speakers

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