break off
verb
broke off; broken off; breaking off; breaks off
intransitive verb
1
: to stop abruptly
break off in the middle of a sentence
2
: to become detached
branches that broke off in the storm
3
: to end a relationship
broke off with his business partner
transitive verb
1
: discontinue
break off diplomatic relations
2
: to remove by or as if by breaking
broke off a chunk of bread
Synonyms
- break
- break up
- can [slang]
- cease
- cut off
- cut out
- desist (from)
- discontinue
- drop
- end
- give over
- halt
- knock off
- lay off
- leave off
- pack (up or in)
- quit
- shut off
- stop
See all Synonyms & Antonyms 
Example Sentences
the judge broke off court proceedings until after lunch talks between the two sides broke off when one began making unreasonable demands
Recent Examples on the Web Shards of steel wool can break off and become lodged in the grain lines. 
Jeanne Huber, Washington Post, 22 Aug. 2022 Carefully break off the mushroom stems without damaging the mushroom caps. Emma Balter, Chron, 11 July 2022 The idea of secession isn’t new, but whether San Bernardino County could realistically break off on its own is unlikely. Martin Estacio, USA TODAY, 17 Aug. 2022 But when sections of the rickety ladder break off from the dilapidated tower, Becky and Hunter are left stranded. Todd Spangler, Variety, 9 Aug. 2022 Hikers traverse one of many social trails that break off of the Grandeur Peak Face Trail, which starts at the north end of Wasatch Boulevard, on Tuesday, Aug. 2, 2022. Julie Jag, The Salt Lake Tribune, 5 Aug. 2022 Ramirez said that prosecutors haven’t offered evidence that Guadalupe cut the cord, which can also break off on its own. Los Angeles Times, 23 June 2022 In some cases, the current forms a channel deep into the Gulf that can break off into a large, circulating area of warm water as the original current restructures—similar to how bubbles are blown. Jay R. Jordan, Chron, 18 May 2022 Long staple cotton means that the cotton fibers are longer, making the fabric feel more soft and luxurious compared to shorter fibers that can break off or stick out when twisted into yarns. Grace Wu, Good Housekeeping, 18 Apr. 2022 See More
Jeanne Huber, Washington Post, 22 Aug. 2022 Carefully break off the mushroom stems without damaging the mushroom caps. Emma Balter, Chron, 11 July 2022 The idea of secession isn’t new, but whether San Bernardino County could realistically break off on its own is unlikely. Martin Estacio, USA TODAY, 17 Aug. 2022 But when sections of the rickety ladder break off from the dilapidated tower, Becky and Hunter are left stranded. Todd Spangler, Variety, 9 Aug. 2022 Hikers traverse one of many social trails that break off of the Grandeur Peak Face Trail, which starts at the north end of Wasatch Boulevard, on Tuesday, Aug. 2, 2022. Julie Jag, The Salt Lake Tribune, 5 Aug. 2022 Ramirez said that prosecutors haven’t offered evidence that Guadalupe cut the cord, which can also break off on its own. Los Angeles Times, 23 June 2022 In some cases, the current forms a channel deep into the Gulf that can break off into a large, circulating area of warm water as the original current restructures—similar to how bubbles are blown. Jay R. Jordan, Chron, 18 May 2022 Long staple cotton means that the cotton fibers are longer, making the fabric feel more soft and luxurious compared to shorter fibers that can break off or stick out when twisted into yarns. Grace Wu, Good Housekeeping, 18 Apr. 2022 See More Word History
First Known Use
14th century, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense 1
breaks off
verb
1
as in stops
to bring (as an action or operation) to an immediate end the judge broke off court proceedings until after lunch Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
- stops
- ends
- ceases
- halts
- cuts off
- lays off
- shuts off
- breaks up
- knocks off
- cuts out
- quits
- leaves off
- delays
- gives over
- drops
- breaks
- suspends
- concludes
- finishes
- cans
- discontinues
- has done with
- suspends
- desists (from)
- packs (up or in)
- puts the kibosh on
- holds back
- turns back
- calls
- completes
- blocks
- ruins
- stays
- pauses
- stems
- checks
- clamps down
- holds
- closes (down)
- hinders
- dams
- kiboshes
- stanches
- suppresses
- deactivates
- destroys
- impedes
- brakes
- stamps
- blockades
- arrests
- obstructs
- reins (in)
- stunts
- squashes
- dissolves
- squelches
- aborts
- detains
- kills
- scuttles
- abolishes
- snuffs
- demolishes
- annuls
- staunches
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- continues
- keeps up
- runs on
- advances
- progresses
- proceeds
- follows through (with)
- carries on
- stirs
- drives
- propels
- actuates
- impels
2
as in ends
to come to an end talks between the two sides broke off when one began making unreasonable demands Synonyms & Similar Words
- ends
- stops
- expires
- ceases
- concludes
- halts
- breaks up
- leaves off
- passes
- dies
- goes
- winds up
- finishes
- terminates
- lapses
- closes
- lets up
- determines
- stalls
- elapses
- bites the dust
- knocks off
- discontinues
- quits
- breaks down
- cuts out
- winks (out)
- dead-ends
- lays off (of)
- gives over
- stays
- pauses
- refrains (from)
- winds down
- desists (from)
- suspends
- packs (up or in)
- conks (out)
- abates
- peters (out)
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- hangs on
- continues
- persists
- extends
- draws out
- prolongs
- protracts