BREAKING OFF Synonyms: 106 Similar and Opposite Words

breaking off

verb

present participle of break off

as in ending

to bring (as an action or operation) to an immediate end the judge broke off court proceedings until after lunch

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in stopping

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

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.

Recent Examples of breaking off The AccuWeather team will be looking for smaller storm cells breaking off of the main line, which would give them freedom to begin rotating and potentially spin off a tornado funnel. — Karl Hille, Baltimore Sun, 20 Aug. 2026 Later videos appeared to show the top of the rocket breaking off in flight. — Eric Berger, ArsTechnica, 14 Aug. 2026 Now, though, some branches are breaking off. — Ann Manov, Harpers Magazine, 23 June 2026 In November 1987, after breaking off her engagement with Estevez, Moore married Bruce in Las Vegas. — Chanel Vargas, InStyle, 21 June 2026 Work is continuing to try to stabilize the Pacifica Municipal Pier, which began cracking at its base on June 4 and is now in danger of breaking off and falling into the water. — John Ramos, CBS News, 16 June 2026 That trail of vaporizing particles breaking off the asteroid causes a bright streak of light across the sky called a meteor, or colloquially a shooting star. — Adam Lark, The Conversation, 16 June 2026 Among efforts—three engagements to women that ended up breaking off. — Cathy Applefeld Olson, Forbes.com, 22 May 2026 Honduras established diplomatic ties with China in 2023 after breaking off relations with Taiwan. — ABC News, 8 May 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for breaking off

Verb

The administration further proposed ending data collection on racial disparities in school discipline.

— Claire Sibonney, CBS News, 24 Aug. 2026
Pakistan, which played a key role in brokering a 60-day ceasefire in June, sent a high-level delegation to Iran on Monday to discuss ending the war, the military said.

— ABC News, ABC News, 24 Aug. 2026

Definition of ending

Verb

Dual-piston hydraulic disc brakes with 180mm rotors handle stopping duties, an important part of controlling a large fat-tire e-bike in traffic or on a downhill section.

— New Atlas, New Atlas, 26 Aug. 2026
The Chiefs focused their defense on stopping Barkley, and, while he was limited to 57 rushing yards on 25 carries, that opened up things for Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts, who completed 17 of 22 passes.

— Encyclopedia Britannica, Encyclopedia Britannica, 25 Aug. 2026

Definition of stopping

Verb

Costs for consumers in the Affordable Care Act marketplace have soared amid expiring ACA premium subsidies, and insurance affordability poses a political threat to Republicans during upcoming midterm elections.

— Sarah Agostino, CNBC, 28 Aug. 2026
Only three players — Carrington, Cloud, Rachel Banham— are on expiring deals, with Sydney Taylor expected to return as an exclusive rights free agent.

— Julia Poe, Chicago Tribune, 25 Aug. 2026

Definition of expiring

Verb

Executive-produced by Shawn Carter (Jaÿ-Z) and Rubin, who also directs, two new episodes will debut on Mubi every Saturday, concluding with episodes seven and eight on Saturday, 10 October.

— Zac Ntim, Deadline, 27 Aug. 2026
Judge Buckelew has set the first week of October as his target to have a jury empaneled and begin opening statements, with broader sights on concluding the trial by Thanksgiving.

— Robert Salonga, Mercury News, 26 Aug. 2026

Definition of concluding

Verb

However, for many observers, including those in the UK, the moon will set shortly after maximum eclipse, cutting off the later stages of the partial phase.

— Daisy Dobrijevic, Space.com, 27 Aug. 2026
Notable New polling for the IMEU Policy Project, conducted by YouGov, suggests that cutting off military aid to Israel is a popular position in the six states that will vote first in the 2028 Democratic presidential primary.

— David Weigel, semafor.com, 25 Aug. 2026

Definition of cutting off

Verb

The episode isn’t quite done, despite leaving off on an explosive note.

— Siddhant Adlakha, Vulture, 17 Aug. 2026
This does have the effect of, at times, including star NHL players while leaving off players who are still in the minors and have a chance to make the league.

— Corey Pronman, New York Times, 25 Aug. 2025