1
as in to explode
to break open or into pieces usually because of internal pressure
specialists were able to deactivate the bomb before it went off
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to progress
to move forward along a course
the wedding went off without so much as a single glitch
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in to depart
to leave a place often for another
don't go off without telling us where we can find you
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of go off
From your point of view, having been there so long, was this going off the cliff in January?
—
David Frum, The Atlantic, 17 June 2026
Like a neighbor who let the smoke alarm go off for a week at a time or a series of police visits in the middle of the night.
—Olivia Bensimon, Curbed, 17 June 2026
That’s when the lightbulb went off.
—Matthew Huff, IndieWire, 17 June 2026
Now my child has gone off to college, kind of thing.
—Michael Schneider, Variety, 17 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for go off
David Frum, The Atlantic, 17 June 2026
Like a neighbor who let the smoke alarm go off for a week at a time or a series of police visits in the middle of the night.
—Olivia Bensimon, Curbed, 17 June 2026
That’s when the lightbulb went off.
—Matthew Huff, IndieWire, 17 June 2026
Now my child has gone off to college, kind of thing.
—Michael Schneider, Variety, 17 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for go off
Recent Examples of Synonyms for go off
Verb
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Birding has exploded from a niche hobby into a mainstream pastime, driven by the pandemic outdoor-recreation boom and amplified by apps and social media.—
Hanna Wickes,
Kansas City Star,
18 June 2026
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At-home microbiome tests have exploded in popularity, fueled by genuine curiosity about gut health and big promises about energy, mood and longevity.—
Ryan Brennan,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
17 June 2026
Verb
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More significantly, Cape Verde’s chances of progressing to the round of 32 have gone up from 32 percent to 52 percent — a significant increase.—
Thom Harris,
New York Times,
16 June 2026
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As treatment progresses, keeping records can help families communicate more effectively with healthcare providers.—
Lauryn Higgins,
Flow Space,
15 June 2026
Verb
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The students are scheduled to depart next Wednesday.—
Tania Francois,
CBS News,
19 June 2026
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After Witt departed, the Royals continued to pile on runs against the Cardinals’ pitching staff.—
Jaylon Thompson,
Kansas City Star,
19 June 2026
Verb
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The military retaliation followed an April 26 terror attack, when an explosive device detonated on a passenger bus traveling along the Pan-American Highway in the volatile Cauca region.—
Alexandra Koch,
FOXNews.com,
17 June 2026
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Proper told investigators that a group planned to stage a demonstration outside the White House, fly small drones laden with explosives to detonate outside the arena to force the crowd to evacuate, and act as snipers to shoot people fleeing the event.—
Noe Padilla,
USA Today,
16 June 2026
Verb
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Events already relocating elsewhere Davis said the delay has already forced nine events to move and could push as many as 30 more to do the same in 2030.—
Dawn White,
CBS News,
19 June 2026
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It’s meant to go with the flow of kids’ pacing, which may mean spending a whole hour at a splash pad or being done after just a few experiences.—
Eve Chen,
USA Today,
19 June 2026
Verb
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After driving on the 5 Freeway for nearly an hour, the suspect exited the freeway onto Lake Hughes Road near Castaic Lake.—
Matthew Rodriguez,
CBS News,
19 June 2026
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This means that the tankers and cargo ships trapped in the Persian Gulf since March be able to exit, although shipping giants predict that the ships won’t actually pass through the Strait for some time.—
Ariel Cohen,
Forbes.com,
18 June 2026
Verb
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Different types of circles with different patterns pop up on the headset.—
Joshua Kloke,
New York Times,
17 June 2026
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Libertyville senior shortstop Trevor Wallace, who had just popped out and returned to the dugout to cheer for Holmes, overheard two teammates talking.—
Steve Reaven,
Chicago Tribune,
16 June 2026
Verb
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Adding to the uncertainty, Georgia's Secretary of State's Office and the State Election Board have issued conflicting guidance on how counties should proceed if lawmakers do not act.—
Zachary Bynum,
CBS News,
14 June 2026
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Despite the late-night filing in the case, which had been brought by the National Trust for Historic Preservation, there was no actual emergency; rather, the Department of Justice seized on the moment to make its case that security required the construction to proceed.—
Ruth Marcus,
New Yorker,
14 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Go off.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/go%20off. Accessed 21 Jun. 2026.
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