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
Close by, a snow cornice had broken off and tipped into the crater.
—
Emily Mae Czachor, CBS News, 3 Apr. 2024
Following a large weekend storm, large chunks of the road broke off, tumbling down a cliff and into the ocean Saturday afternoon near Rock Creek Bridge.
—Collin Woodard / Jalopnik, Quartz, 2 Apr. 2024
Attendees broke off into groups to tackle discussion topics affecting the vulnerable indie film ecosystem, like distribution and financing.
—Mia Galuppo, The Hollywood Reporter, 29 Mar. 2024
Krut has seen videos of colleagues getting knocked over, balls hitting cameras, lenses breaking off.
—Nicole Pajer, Peoplemag, 6 Feb. 2024
In the House of Commons, speaker Lindsay Hoyle broke off from normal business to wish the monarch a full recovery.
—Bloomberg, Fortune Europe, 5 Feb. 2024
After maturing and dying, the remains the succulent plant break off at the root and are blown away by wind.
—Anthony Robledo, USA TODAY, 5 Mar. 2024
The plug that broke off Alaska flight 1282 is used to seal holes left for extra emergency doors.
—David Koenig, Fortune, 7 Feb. 2024
Manny looked out the window and saw part of his neighbor’s roof break off and disappear into the swirling blackness swallowing the sky.
—Alicia Victoria Lozano, NBC News, 6 Feb. 2024
Emily Mae Czachor, CBS News, 3 Apr. 2024
Following a large weekend storm, large chunks of the road broke off, tumbling down a cliff and into the ocean Saturday afternoon near Rock Creek Bridge.
—Collin Woodard / Jalopnik, Quartz, 2 Apr. 2024
Attendees broke off into groups to tackle discussion topics affecting the vulnerable indie film ecosystem, like distribution and financing.
—Mia Galuppo, The Hollywood Reporter, 29 Mar. 2024
Krut has seen videos of colleagues getting knocked over, balls hitting cameras, lenses breaking off.
—Nicole Pajer, Peoplemag, 6 Feb. 2024
In the House of Commons, speaker Lindsay Hoyle broke off from normal business to wish the monarch a full recovery.
—Bloomberg, Fortune Europe, 5 Feb. 2024
After maturing and dying, the remains the succulent plant break off at the root and are blown away by wind.
—Anthony Robledo, USA TODAY, 5 Mar. 2024
The plug that broke off Alaska flight 1282 is used to seal holes left for extra emergency doors.
—David Koenig, Fortune, 7 Feb. 2024
Manny looked out the window and saw part of his neighbor’s roof break off and disappear into the swirling blackness swallowing the sky.
—Alicia Victoria Lozano, NBC News, 6 Feb. 2024
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 19 Apr. 2024.
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