Thesaurus.com
Dictionary.com
Definitions

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.

In bad news for long-suffering passengers, DB head Evelyn Palla told a press conference that the write-off resulted from expectations of a poor service stretching into the future.

From Barron's • Mar. 27, 2026

In other words, taxes weren’t easy for gamblers already — and now they are getting tougher, blocking even more losses from a write-off.

From MarketWatch • Feb. 6, 2026

Stripping out one-time costs, such as the fleet write-off and roughly $100 million in charges tied to the company’s restructuring, earnings were $2.38 a share.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jan. 27, 2026

Defeat on a Boxing Day trip to Sale, where Quins have won only once in their last eight visit, could confirm this season as a write-off.

From BBC • Dec. 22, 2025

Throughout the civilized world, from Battery Park to Fulton Street, he was known as a dependable man for a fast tax write-off.

From "Catch-22" by Joseph Heller