break off

11 synonyms and 3 antonyms for break off, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.

Verb — To end something suddenly, especially a relationship, discussion or agreement.

Synonyms

Everyday swaps

Common words most readers know — safe in any writing.

end separate

Less common

Still standard English, but they carry more weight.

terminate pause

Rare, literary or technical

Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.

sever discontinue call off snap off detach stop short cut off

Synonyms by Meaning

1. verb

To end something suddenly, especially a relationship, discussion or agreement.

“The two countries broke off diplomatic relations last week.”

end terminate sever discontinue call off

Opposites

resume restore continue

2. verb

To detach a piece from a larger whole, or to come away from it.

“He broke off a chunk of bread and passed it across.”

snap off detach separate

3. verb

To stop speaking or doing something abruptly.

“She broke off mid-sentence when he walked in.”

stop short pause cut off

How to use break off

The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.

break off an engagement break off talks break off relations break off a piece break off mid-sentence

Separable in the detaching sense — 'break a piece off' or 'break off a piece' both work. In the relationship sense it is usually 'break off the engagement' rather than 'break the engagement off'.

Etymology

Came from Middle English breke of (“break off, terminate”), a dissimilated form of the earlier Middle English ofbreken. By surface analysis, it is break plus off.

Full origin of break off →

Frequently asked questions

What is the difference between 'break off' and 'break up'?

'Break up' is what a dating couple does when they end the relationship. 'Break off' is more formal and applies to an engagement, negotiations, or diplomatic relations. You would break up with a boyfriend, but break off an engagement.

What does it mean to break off talks?

It means to stop negotiations before they have reached a conclusion, usually because one side is unwilling to continue. It implies an abrupt end rather than a planned finish.

People also searched

end continue separate restore resume pause terminate sever detach discontinue

Nearby words

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