break off
verb
broke off; broken off; breaking off; breaks off
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
1
: discontinue
break off diplomatic relations
2
: to remove by or as if by breaking
broke off a chunk of bread
Synonyms
Examples of break off in a Sentence
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
Hernández and André broke off from the others, and from the turmoil emerged a new group: Jaguares.
—
Holly Alvarado, San Diego Union-Tribune, 7 June 2024
The specific part of the pier that broke off from the causeway, anchored to the beach, is the larger platform where small Army vessels unloaded the trucks that would be driven onto it.
—Luis Martinez, ABC News, 7 June 2024
Advertisement About three weeks ago, a piece from his front door panel was broken off, the neighbor said.
—Salvador Hernandez, Los Angeles Times, 30 May 2024
He is said to have few close friends, and is recently single after breaking off a relationship with a glamorous TV actress.
—Vera Bergengruen/buenos Aires, TIME, 23 May 2024
See all Example Sentences for break off 
Holly Alvarado, San Diego Union-Tribune, 7 June 2024
The specific part of the pier that broke off from the causeway, anchored to the beach, is the larger platform where small Army vessels unloaded the trucks that would be driven onto it.
—Luis Martinez, ABC News, 7 June 2024
Advertisement About three weeks ago, a piece from his front door panel was broken off, the neighbor said.
—Salvador Hernandez, Los Angeles Times, 30 May 2024
He is said to have few close friends, and is recently single after breaking off a relationship with a glamorous TV actress.
—Vera Bergengruen/buenos Aires, TIME, 23 May 2024
See all Example Sentences for break off
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'break off.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near break off
Cite this Entry
“Break off.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/break%20off. Accessed 11 Jun. 2024.
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