write off

[rahyt-awf, -of] / ˈraɪtˌɔf, -ˌɒf /

VERB

devalue; forget about

Synonyms

STRONGEST

cancel give up lower

WEAK

cross out decry depreciate disregard downgrade mark down shelve take a loss on underrate undervalue

NOUN

accounting reduction

Synonyms

STRONGEST

tax benefit tax write-off

STRONG

accounting allowance bad debt deduction depletion allowance depreciation loss of value price support reduction write-down

WEAK

charity contribution donation gift present

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Proponents of public ownership say it would give Thames Water a fresh start, allowing it to write off some of its debts and get a new long-term owner.

From BBC • Jun. 16, 2026

Maybe we’ll all soon be able to write off our actions up to yesterday.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 3, 2026

Investors can’t write off the contributions of easing tensions in the Middle East.

From Barron's • Apr. 17, 2026

It might be appealing to write off Anthropic’s and OpenAI’s efforts to be seen as the good guys as just another helping of corporate pablum.

From Slate • Apr. 14, 2026

Also, she couldn’t forget how he had been ready to write off her brother, Nico, when they’d learned he was a captive in Rome.

From "The House of Hades" by Rick Riordan

write off

Example Sentences

Related Words