off 1 of 3

as in away
from this or that place move off a few yards before I throw the football

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

off

2 of 3

adjective

1
as in wrong
falling short of a standard the milk tasted off

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

2
3
4
5

off

3 of 3

verb

slang

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 off
Adverb
Plus, the pull-tab makes the shoes—which are available in three colors—easy to put on and off. Destinee Scott, Travel + Leisure, 5 Oct. 2025 While Method acting has performers immerse themselves in a role by drawing from their own experiences and emotions for a more authentic portrayal, some even stay in character off-set. Glenn Garner, Deadline, 5 Oct. 2025
Adjective
Other signs of mold or spoilage include shriveling, leaking juice, soft spots, or an off smell. Katie Rosenhouse, Southern Living, 28 Sep. 2025 According to Winter, Reeves plans to bring their off-stage friendship to the Godot stage. Dave Quinn, PEOPLE, 28 Sep. 2025
Verb
The disturbance that moved from over North Florida to off North Florida’s Atlantic Coast became Tropical Depression 3 Friday afternoon. David J. Neal, Miami Herald, 5 July 2025 The current Disney+ version even shows Greedo getting in the last word before Han offs him. Rance Collins, IndieWire, 14 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for off
Recent Examples of Synonyms for off
Adverb
  • Notre Dame had a 79-yard TD drive in the third quarter and a 52-yarder in the fourth to put the game away.
    Jim Keyser, Idaho Statesman, 5 Oct. 2025
  • Three victories on the spin at Old Trafford, and none so far away, also fuelled Amorim’s angst.
    Laurie Whitwell, New York Times, 5 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • There’s something wrong with them right away.
    Stephanie Nolasco, FOXNews.com, 5 Oct. 2025
  • Mike McDaniel said Wright did nothing wrong, but Miami needed more bodies on defense and special teams.
    Barry Jackson, Miami Herald, 5 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • To determine whether a branch is dead or just dormant, scrape some of the bark away.
    Karen Brewer Grossman, Southern Living, 5 Oct. 2025
  • Once the bulb has gone dormant and all the foliage has died down, carefully dig the bulb or tuber out of the ground.
    Erica Browne Grivas, Better Homes & Gardens, 5 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • Engineers outfitted the device with a heater to melt ice in the winter, a customization that should improve accuracy during Arizona’s freeze-thaw cycles that have long created erroneous measurements.
    Hayleigh Evans, AZCentral.com, 2 Oct. 2025
  • Vedra and other debt law experts said a high rate of default judgments indicates a system that favors the pursuers over the pursued — and increases the chances someone will be harmed by an erroneous bill.
    Rae Ellen Bichell, Fortune, 29 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • By a rough count, Flagg played in approximately six different lineups, including some small-ball looks with Dwight Powell at center.
    Lawrence Dow, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 7 Oct. 2025
  • While there is acknowledgement that smaller teams, such as Norway’s Valarenga, could be on the receiving end of heavy defeats with the shift in format, the benefits of seeing top seeds clash early in the competition mean more overall interest.
    Megan Feringa, New York Times, 7 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • Unlike other game-day snacks like chips or popcorn, where flavors and textures can get a little one-note after a while, ALDI’s Cajun Trail Mix keeps your taste buds entertained with different flavors—salty, sweet, and spicy—and different textures, too.
    Tara Massouleh McCay, Southern Living, 3 Oct. 2025
  • The sandwich options vary by protein, with choices including Spam, bacon, ham and spicy pork.
    Camila Pedrosa, Sacbee.com, 3 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • Abe – widely seen as Japan’s last stable leader, having ruled for nearly nine years – was assassinated in 2022.
    Jessie Yeung, CNN Money, 3 Oct. 2025
  • The California resident who pleaded guilty to attempting to assassinate Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanaugh at his home in 2022 was sentenced Friday to just over eight years in prison, far below the three-decade term sought by federal prosecutors.
    Alexander Mallin, ABC News, 3 Oct. 2025
Adverb
  • The ultimate letdown came in the eighth inning, when the Phillies — down 5-3 — loaded the bases against Tyler Glasnow to coax Alex Vesia from the Dodgers bullpen.
    Charlotte Varnes, New York Times, 5 Oct. 2025
  • Shooter down, horror continues Within about three minutes, officers ― one from the Michigan Department of Natural Resources, then one from Grand Blanc Township ― arrived on the scene.
    Georgea Kovanis, Freep.com, 5 Oct. 2025

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Off.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/off. Accessed 8 Oct. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on off

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!