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
  • In September, Judge Jonathan Medema ordered a stay of the civil case so the two sides could work to resolve the dispute without dismissing the case.
    — Mark Dee, Idaho Statesman, 22 Oct. 2026
  • The court granted that request, entering judgment for the United States on Count III of the government’s complaint and dismissing the remaining counts as moot.
    — Antonio María Delgado, Miami Herald, 22 Oct. 2026
Definition of dismissing
Verb
  • Climate policies are reducing emissions Since the adoption of the Paris Agreement just over a decade ago, global renewable electricity capacity has grown three times faster than anticipated, while solar PV build-out has increased seven times faster.
    — Simmone Shah, Time, 21 Oct. 2026
  • The filter also makes the page look like a poster left too long in the sun, washing it out and reducing contrast compared to monochrome e-readers.
    — New Atlas, New Atlas, 21 Oct. 2026
Definition of reducing
Verb
  • Compensation and advancement below the partner level can’t just be about minimizing cost.
    — Tim Brackney, Forbes.com, 26 Oct. 2026
  • Tsai, the Stanford professor, has conducted research on how emotion in American culture puts value on trying to always feel positive and minimizing negativity and sadness.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 24 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
  • Additionally, key highlights include new ponchos, Barefoot Dreams’ signature CozyChic hooded robe, with a new feminine rose motif running down its back, and an adorable headscarf.
    — Emily Mercer, Footwear News, 21 Oct. 2026
  • The Irish’s last chance to win, an incomplete pass in the end zone from inside the 10-yard line with time running down, shouldn’t have been the final play, according to the Big 12.
    — John Coon, Chicago Tribune, 18 Oct. 2026
Definition of running down
Verb
  • The company is now running through the last of its stock and is marking down what’s left by 20 percent.
    — Cameron Faulkner, The Verge, 14 Oct. 2026
  • 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
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
  • Kikuchi makes Haru’s occasionally mortifying romantic pursuit both funny and affecting, embracing the character’s impulsive, sometimes ridiculous behavior without diminishing the depth of her loss.
    — Lisa Wong Macabasco, Vogue, 23 Oct. 2026
  • The good news is that its strongest winds and heaviest rain will remain over the Atlantic, with impacts along our coastline gradually diminishing.
    — Kate Bilo, CBS News, 22 Oct. 2026
Definition of diminishing

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writing down
writing off
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Cite this Entry

“Writing off.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/writing%20off. Accessed 28 Oct. 2026.

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