go off

Definition of go offnext
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

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

2
3

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 go off All of this season’s sellouts came before the Fourth of July, around the time the season went off the rails due to all the injuries and poor play. — Chris Biderman, Sacbee.com, 27 Sep. 2026 Most bears stay with their mothers for two to three summers before going off on their own. — Popular Science Team, Popular Science, 25 Sep. 2026 The incident occurred this month as a passenger was moving through the TSA line at LaGuardia Airport (LGA) in New York City when an alarm went off. — Andrea Margolis, FOXNews.com, 25 Sep. 2026 But a few months later, while the song was still climbing the country charts, things went off-script. — Josh Crutchmer, Rolling Stone, 24 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for go off
Recent Examples of Synonyms for go off
Verb
  • Launched in 2004, the $364-million observatory is designed to pivot quickly — as its name suggests — to capture gamma ray bursts, exploding stars and other fast-breaking cosmic action.
    — Marcia Dunn, Los Angeles Times, 27 Sep. 2026
  • Launched in 2004, the $364 million observatory is designed to pivot quickly -- as its name suggests -- to capture gamma ray bursts, exploding stars and other fast-breaking cosmic action.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 26 Sep. 2026
Verb
  • As the day progresses and the vibe moves from business to pleasure, guests drift out to the outdoor terrace at La Lo La Rooftop with panoramic vistas, twinkling festoon lighting, and a menu of tapas and cocktails.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 30 Sep. 2026
  • Yet as the evening progressed to the main marquee sale, buyer caution and risk aversion became clear.
    — Hok-hang Cheung, ARTnews.com, 30 Sep. 2026
Verb
  • Kenita Lloyd, will depart just short of five years of service at the end of 2026, according to an internal memo obtained by The News and two sources.
    — Cayla Bamberger, New York Daily News, 28 Sep. 2026
  • Smith departed the network in March 2024 after 12 years, with a send-off on NBC’s Today.
    — Ted Johnson, Deadline, 28 Sep. 2026
Verb
  • The missile, called a PrSM—for precision-strike missile—detonates midair and spreads thousands of small tungsten fragments in all directions.
    — Robin Wright, New Yorker, 26 Sep. 2026
  • In December 2023, a suicide bomber detonated an explosives-laden vehicle at the main gate of a police station in Dera Ismail Khan, killing at least 23 security personnel in one of the area’s deadliest attacks.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 26 Sep. 2026
Verb
  • When the vast majority of minor leaguers never reach the majors, the arithmetic clears only when the terms on the few who do are punitive enough to fund the rest.
    — Chris Koras, Sportico.com, 28 Sep. 2026
  • The company has already done this three times with Super Heavy but has not yet attempted it with Ship.
    — Mike Wall, Space.com, 28 Sep. 2026
Verb
  • Investing more heavily in technology, shifting resources to a newer product line or exiting an activity with poor long-term economics are rational decisions.
    — Erik Clarke, Forbes.com, 29 Sep. 2026
  • Six days after Guillen collapsed while exiting X2, Naomi Greer-Wilkinson rode the roller coaster.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 29 Sep. 2026
Verb
  • Brent crude prices popped 4% yesterday but fell 3% overnight on reports of a diesel and crude stock release.
    — Alex Harring, CNBC, 2 Oct. 2026
  • Last week, though, my eyes popped a bit as Northwestern was competitive with Indiana.
    — David Troy OutKick, FOXNews.com, 2 Oct. 2026
Verb
  • But with everything else working well and the bad engine no longer needed, flight controllers decided, after several tense minutes, to proceed as planned.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 29 Sep. 2026
  • DeSantis, who leaves office in January, issued similar stays in 2023 and 2025 but both executions proceeded following evaluations.
    — CBS News, CBS News, 29 Sep. 2026

Cite this Entry

“Go off.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/go%20off. Accessed 4 Oct. 2026.

Love words? Need even more definitions?

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