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
  • One person was killed in a strike on Riyadh airport, a Saudia Airlines plane was reportedly in flames, and hundreds of flights have been canceled.
    — Matthew Martin, semafor.com, 9 Oct. 2026
  • To try to ease tensions during loud stretches of construction, Zuckerberg’s staff handed out gifts like noise-canceling headphones.
    — Sydney Lake, Fortune, 8 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
  • Few directors are better than Mungiu at capturing the non-wisdom of crowds, and every glimpse of the Gheorghius in communion with other Christians throws off an air of mass-smiling menace.
    — Justin Chang, New Yorker, 8 Oct. 2026
  • Simmons caught an unexpected snap and got the ball to his receiver while fading back and throwing off of his back foot.
    — PJ Green October 3, Kansas City Star, 3 Oct. 2026
Verb
  • That’s why Democrats running for Senate seats in the midterm elections in such states as Maine, Minnesota, and Florida tout their support for scrapping the current health insurance system in favor of broad Medicare coverage.
    — Kate Wells, Miami Herald, 7 Oct. 2026
  • Lithuanian Parliament Speaker Juozas Olekas said scrapping the restriction would bolster the country's resilience and remove a legal distinction between Lithuania and other EU and NATO countries.
    — Sam Meredith, CNBC, 6 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 10 Oct. 2026.

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