call off

Definition of call offnext
1
as in to distract
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

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 call off As his son Charles recounts in Swan Song, when Diana considered calling off her wedding to Prince Charles after suffering various snubs from the heir to the throne, Count Spencer flatly rejected his youngest daughter’s idea. — Diego Parrado, Vanity Fair, 29 Sep. 2026 SpaceX spokesperson Dan Huot even announced it was called off, only to reverse course as flight controllers decided to press ahead. — Mike Wall, Space.com, 28 Sep. 2026 Incredibly, SpaceX seemed unsure as to whether to push ahead to orbit, calling off that part of the test for a brief moment before deciding to go for orbit minutes later. — Lee Billings, Scientific American, 28 Sep. 2026 After Gillette Stadium owner Kraft threatened to call off Sheeran’s Boston tour dates at his venue amid supporting act Macklemore’s pro-Palestine comments, the concerts were canceled in light of the severe nor’easter making its way to New England. — Leigh Blickley, Entertainment Weekly, 25 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for call off
Recent Examples of Synonyms for call off
Verb
  • His philosophy posits that nature should be the focus of any space, and this is true—trappings frame and do not distract from the views.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 6 Oct. 2026
  • Those moments shouldn't distract from the fact that Las Vegas looked every bit as good as the Chiefs for most of the game, and at certain points, better.
    — Dan Zaksheske OutKick, FOXNews.com, 5 Oct. 2026
Verb
  • Cage previously starred in the first two Ghost Rider movies, a franchise now being revived by Ryan Gosling, and as Spider-Noir in both the animated Beyond the Spider-Verse films and the live-action series Prime Video just canceled.
    — Alejandra Gularte, Vulture, 1 Oct. 2026
  • One Elk Grove City Council race is on the ballot this November, after two other races were canceled and the incumbents were appointed to new terms because no challengers filed to run.
    — Camryn Dadey, Sacbee.com, 1 Oct. 2026
Verb
  • And resist the temptation to divert urgent discussions toward thorny disputes.
    — Geoffrey Irving, Time, 3 Oct. 2026
  • The flight, carrying 182 people from Dubai to Tel Aviv, was diverted to Tabuk in northwestern Saudi Arabia for an emergency landing.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 2 Oct. 2026
Verb
  • Industry analysts note that abandoning the export ban reflects recognition that such restrictions could prove counterproductive.
    — , CNBC, 7 Oct. 2026
  • However, in the 7th century, this all vanished; the temples were abandoned and later looted, and Kea never again revived its trade or harbor settlements.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 6 Oct. 2026
Verb
  • But the movement of Earth’s mantle and rocky crust can make some areas denser than others and throw off the planet’s balance.
    — Jacek Krywko, Scientific American, 1 Oct. 2026
  • But Paulina’s plans are thrown off when new student Ericka (the emerging star Jasmine Amy Rogers) arrives from America.
    — Jason P. Frank, Vulture, 1 Oct. 2026
Verb
  • Other countries have also scrapped cash-for-residency programs, citing concerns ranging from dirty money to housing affordability.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 3 Oct. 2026
  • There is a strong cargo backdrop as shippers scrap for space.
    — Glenn Taylor, Footwear News, 2 Oct. 2026
Verb
  • The bankruptcy filing comes months after the Sacramento County Board of Education overturned Twin Rivers Unified’s decision to revoke the charters, and the district appealed that ruling to the California State Board of Education.
    — Chaewon Chung Updated October 5, Sacbee.com, 5 Oct. 2026
  • On top of that, the government can revoke permanent residency for not meeting pension contribution obligations, failing to pay health insurance and taxes, and violating immigration law or the penal code.
    — Jason Ma, Fortune, 4 Oct. 2026
Verb
  • SpaceX says this mission's launch profile includes portions that would allow Starship to abort its orbital trajectory and return to Earth safely.
    — Brendan Byrne, NPR, 28 Sep. 2026
  • Flight-recorder data showed the pilots tried in the last seconds to lift off again to attempt to abort the landing and try again, but there was not enough runway left.
    — David Goodhue, Miami Herald, 11 Sep. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Call off.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/call%20off. Accessed 9 Oct. 2026.

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