1
as in distracts
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
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in cancels
to put an end to (something planned or previously agreed to)
called off the party after half of those invited couldn't make it
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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Recent Examples of calls off
The president calls off plans to send the National Guard to San Francisco.
—
Christian Orozco, NBC news, 24 Oct. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for calls off
Verb
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Scrolling social media, watching videos, recording videos or using the device in anyway that distracts you and requires your body to do it.—
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As technology distracts, polarizes and automates, people are still finding refuge on analog islands in the digital sea.—
Verb
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Trump cancels 'second wave of attacks' against Venezuela 2.—
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After her family cancels holiday plans at the last minute, Nell decides to spend the week of Christmas having fun on her own!—
Verb
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These tissues regenerate constantly, so when protein is scarce, your body diverts amino acids away from these aesthetic functions toward more critical ones, like maintaining organ health and immunity.—
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O’Neill directs the steamroller of tragedy right at the characters and then — atypically, delightfully — diverts it.—
Verb
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Edward cruelly abandons his wife to pursue a wealthy and high-status noblewoman (Bella Heathcote).—
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Using three boundaries to solve the problem The new study abandons the idea of a purely passive shell.—
Verb
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The spin is being closely watched as a statement on the future of cable, which throws off significant cash but has been in rapid decline as viewers migrate to streaming.—
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But China has not made such statements, and there’s still a risk that the two strongmen can’t see eye to eye or a rogue comment throws off the delicate detente.—
Verb
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But then Belly scraps her Parisian plans and pledges her young life to Jeremiah, a rising super senior at Finch majoring in getting high and going to Cabo (which, quite honestly, is more age-appropriate than a wedding).—
Verb
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The budget law, which funds several of the president's priorities, including tax cuts to wealthy Americans and border security, revokes refugees' access to Medicaid, the state-federal health insurance program for people with low incomes or disabilities, starting in October 2026.—
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Disbarment, which revokes a lawyer's license to practice law, is the most severe professional sanction for attorneys.—
Verb
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In the event that an operator aborts an interception, the drone will fly back to base ready to be used again — a potential major cost-saver.—
Cite this Entry
“Calls off.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/calls%20off. Accessed 20 Jan. 2026.
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