writing off

verb

present participle of write off
1
as in dismissing
to express scornfully one's low opinion of most critics have already written off that director as a hack incapable of turning out anything but schlock

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in reducing
to diminish the price or value of that one blunder will write off to nothing all the goodwill we've been building up

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 writing off Not writing off this year yet, but the window is '27-'30 for this group. — Brooks Kubena, New York Times, 16 Oct. 2026 Going forward, Brock, who’s based in Los Angeles and plans to release three collections a year, isn’t writing off the idea of a runway show—maybe in the City of Light. — Laura Neilson, Vogue, 4 Oct. 2026 Thai Union ended up losing its entire Red Lobster stake, writing off its $530 million investment in the company and announcing its intent to divest the chain in January 2024. — Nick Lichtenberg, Fortune, 1 Oct. 2026 But as his brace against Uzbekistan showed, writing off Ronaldo remains a dangerous mistake. — Clemente Lisi, Forbes.com, 23 June 2026 So, before writing off a sluggish job candidate search as a market issue, take a hard look at the listing itself, from the title to the requirements, the compensation and the hiring process. — Angelica Leicht, CBS News, 23 June 2026 Faced with the reality of Rowland not coming back, Anderson had multiple options, including writing off the character altogether. — Nellie Andreeva, Deadline, 11 June 2026 No one was writing off Raman anymore. — Deputy Managing Editor, Los Angeles Times, 31 May 2026 The problem is that too much money is made writing off losses on empty properties. — Kaitlyn Schallhorn, Oc Register, 4 May 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for writing off
  1. dismissing
  2. reducing
  3. minimizing
  4. writing down
  5. running down
  6. marking down
  7. talking down
  8. diminishing
Verb
  • Things get even more alarming when Eidra can’t reach Tom Libby and reports start rolling in that Vaughn is dismissing everyone in Trowbridge’s government who’d had a significant relationship with Kate and her team.
    — Sophie Brookover, Vulture, 16 Oct. 2026
  • Citing 2026 laureate Navi Pillay—known for charging Israel with genocide and dismissing free speech—Schatz warns the award now rewards ideological insider posturing rather than genuine efforts to achieve international peace.
    — Staff, FOXNews.com, 15 Oct. 2026
Definition of dismissing
Verb
  • While serving as a public health official, el Sayed wrote an op-ed in 2019 strongly supporting the Green New Deal, arguing that reducing greenhouse gas emissions will help improve public health.
    — Maydeen Merino, The Washington Examiner, 15 Oct. 2026
  • Together, the tools could help accelerate the development of more resilient electric motor systems while reducing the risks associated with critical material shortages, volatile supply chains and rapidly changing global markets.
    — Prabhat Ranjan Mishra, Interesting Engineering, 15 Oct. 2026
Definition of reducing
Verb
  • According to Healthline, testosterone may help protect the brain by slowing nerve cell death, promoting regeneration after injury, minimizing nerve damage and reducing inflammation in the nervous system.
    — Samantha Agate, Miami Herald, 19 Oct. 2026
  • Other Preventative Aphid Control Good garden hygiene, even during the fall and winter months, is crucial for minimizing harborage areas for both overwintering aphid eggs and adults, according to Crumbley.
    — Nadia Hassani, The Spruce, 16 Oct. 2026
Definition of minimizing
Verb
  • That requires writing down what the role needs before anyone’s name is attached to it.
    — Christina Greenberg, Forbes.com, 16 Oct. 2026
  • Why would a woman counting down the hours until her suicide still be writing down joke ideas?
    — Judy Berman, Time, 29 May 2026
Definition of writing down
Verb
  • Blair had tears running down her face, while her team worked to explain what happened.
    — Chris Gardner, HollywoodReporter, 15 Oct. 2026
  • The Saudis may also be able to procure more air defense systems from Europe and the US, after running down shipments delivered at the start of the conflict with Iran.
    — Tim Lister, CNN Money, 13 Oct. 2026
Definition of running down
Verb
  • To mark 42 years of doling out deals, the rapidly-expanding big box store is marking down a whole bunch of items by the very appropriate amount of 42%.
    — Melissa Locker, Southern Living, 22 Sep. 2026
  • Ahead of Labor Day Weekend, retailers are marking down designer bags across the board, giving shoppers a timely opportunity to score investment-worthy styles without the usual sticker shock.
    — Camila Quimper, Footwear News, 4 Sep. 2026
Definition of marking down
Verb
  • Police chief Fuller is correct — talking down a place can be self-fulfilling.
    — Michael Walker, New York Times, 15 Sep. 2026
  • Leadership training disputes The lawsuit alleges Petersen began subjecting Kennon to discriminatory treatment around January 2024, including talking down to her, ignoring her and questioning her judgment.
    — Ben Wheeler, Kansas City Star, 22 Aug. 2026
Definition of talking down
Verb
  • That global warming is diminishing them might sounds counterintuitive — climate change, after all, is worsening much of the world’s extreme weather.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 15 Oct. 2026
  • Winds will finally begin diminishing Friday evening and overnight.
    — Michael Autovino, CBS News, 15 Oct. 2026
Definition of diminishing

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writing down
writing off
writings
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Cite this Entry

“Writing off.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/writing%20off. Accessed 20 Oct. 2026.

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