cut off 1 of 2

verb

Definition of cut offnext
1
as in to stop
to bring (as an action or operation) to an immediate end the majority party cut off debate and forced a vote on the bill

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to separate
to set or keep apart from others the dog cut off the one sheep that had to be sheared

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

cutoff

2 of 2

noun

ˈkət-ˌȯf How to pronounce cutoff (audio)
as in cessation
the stopping of a process or activity with a cutoff for funding the war, military operations soon ground to a halt

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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 cut off
Verb
Chinese advances in dam-building technology in recent years and a race to electrify with clean energy and cut off coal –– as well as a simmering, high-altitude China-India border feud –– have driven change in the region. — Simone McCarthy, CNN Money, 29 Aug. 2026 Just since January 2025, the federal government worked to cut off access for many student loans, most prominently graduate student loans in a number of programs. — Derek Slap, Hartford Courant, 28 Aug. 2026
Noun
The Bearcats could stay in Texas’ largest classification for quite some time, barring any significant enrollment cutoff changes; Aledo ISD doesn’t expect to develop a second high school for the foreseeable future. — Charles Baggarly, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 21 Aug. 2026 And over the course of six years, her character was put through an emotional wringer as well, getting shot, drugged by her stepmother, strangled, nearly drowned and repeatedly kidnapped — usually while wearing tiny denim cutoffs and a crop top. — Benjamin Svetkey, HollywoodReporter, 20 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for cut off
Recent Examples of Synonyms for cut off
  1. stop
  2. separate
  3. cessation
  4. cease
  5. isolate
  6. ending
  7. end
  8. halt
Verb
  • The new rules mandated that referees stop play for a ten-minute hydration break that allows players to drink fluids, change clothes, or shower in their locker room.
    — Aaron Short, Curbed, 3 Sep. 2026
  • The team stopped at 800 N because increasing the load further would require additional protective equipment, with a separate destructive limit test planned.
    — New Atlas, New Atlas, 3 Sep. 2026
Definition of stop
Verb
  • The team analyzed the corridor over the long term and used seasonal-trend decomposition using LOESS, a statistical method that helped separate seasonal fluctuations from longer-term settlement.
    — Rupendra Brahambhatt, Interesting Engineering, 29 Aug. 2026
  • The bridge connects two settlements in a valley in northwest Rwanda that are separated by the river.
    — Fatma Tanis, NPR, 29 Aug. 2026
Definition of separate
Noun
  • Those commitments should be included in a framework agreement, signed by all sides, which outlines the core elements of an eventual peace and enables a cessation of hostilities.
    — Matt Waldman, Foreign Affairs, 13 Aug. 2026
  • Texas law defines brain death as the irreversible cessation of brain function.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 7 Aug. 2026
Definition of cessation
Verb
  • The turf needs this lead time to absorb the nutrients before growth ceases in winter.
    — Megan Hughes, Better Homes & Gardens, 2 Sep. 2026
  • Ukraine is warning the world that airlines and other civilian aircraft must cease operations in Russian airspace or risk being caught in crossfire.
    — Timothy Nerozzi, The Washington Examiner, 1 Sep. 2026
Definition of cease
Verb
  • The rare meeting underscored Washington's willingness to reopen high-level diplomatic channels with Moscow, even as European allies have intended to keep the nation isolated while the war continues.
    — Anniek Bao, CNBC, 1 Sep. 2026
  • When practical, keep at least one backup disconnected from your computer or otherwise isolated from routine activity.
    — Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 1 Sep. 2026
Definition of isolate
Noun
  • At Mattel, cultural relevance came with a blockbuster ending.
    — Phil Wahba, Fortune, 28 Aug. 2026
  • Earlier this summer, speculation regarding Ariana Grande’s weight and body image reached a fever pitch after the singer announced her retreat from public life following the ending of her ongoing tour next week.
    — José Criales-Unzueta, Vanity Fair, 27 Aug. 2026
Definition of ending
Verb
  • However, the action may not end at 11pm — deal sheets allow clubs to conclude signings two hours after the transfer window closes, provided the correct paperwork is submitted before the deadline.
    — Leon Imber, New York Times, 1 Sep. 2026
  • Amid a scorching stretch, Bregman ends the month with his lifetime total now sitting at two.
    — Meghan Montemurro, Chicago Tribune, 1 Sep. 2026
Definition of end
Noun
  • Iran however said a supertanker that had caught fire over the weekend had struck two naval mines in the Strait of Hormuz, bringing it to a halt.
    — Jane Arraf, NPR, 31 Aug. 2026
  • Upon arrival, Gideon slowly grows more suspicious of the theories as to why their 30-year friendship screeched to such an abrupt halt, but also of the reports of Gillian’s fatal accident.
    — Rachel Raposas, PEOPLE, 27 Aug. 2026
Definition of halt

Browse Nearby Words

cut loose
cut off
cutoff
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Cut off.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/cut%20off. Accessed 5 Sep. 2026.

Copy Citation
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

A List of Most Commonly Confused Words

Why do we use apostrophes to show possession?

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?

What's the difference between 'fascism' and 'socialism'?
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

The Longest Long Words List

Stay Woke

Ye Olde Nincompoop: Old-Fashioned Words for 'Stupid'

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

The Words of the Week - Sept. 4
See More

Popular

See More

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

The Longest Long Words List

Stay Woke
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
anagrams on a chalk board
Word Builder Quiz Vol. 2 Pick the letter that when added to a word will ma...
See All