1
as in to happen
to take place
what in the world is going on in there?
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
2
as in to ramble
to talk at length without sticking to a topic or getting to a point
my, but Aunt Betty does go on about all of her aches and pains
Synonyms & Similar Words
1
as in idiot
a stupid person
an unfortunate tendency to call those who disagree with him "brainless goons"
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in thug
a violent, brutal person who is often a member of an organized gang
the crime boss threatened to send the goons after him if he squealed
Synonyms & Similar Words
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
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Recent Examples of go on
Lise Pedersen, Variety, 12 Oct. 2025
What’s going on at Penn State feels unprecedented.
—Ralph D. Russo, New York Times, 12 Oct. 2025
Inkoo Kang, New Yorker, 22 Sep. 2025
He’s accompanied by ace assassin, Louie (Gerard Butler, almost unrecognizable), and another goon, Lefty (Louis Cancelmi).
—Pete Hammond, Deadline, 3 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for go on
Verb
The film’s 4K restoration premiered at the Locarno Film Festival in 2024 and went on to screen at festivals across Europe and Latin America.
—Lise Pedersen, Variety, 12 Oct. 2025
What’s going on at Penn State feels unprecedented.
—Ralph D. Russo, New York Times, 12 Oct. 2025
Noun
The rapper Killer Mike makes the most of his limited screen time as the no-nonsense publisher of a local tabloid that prints Lee’s more lowbrow, retaliatory material, including the mug shots and criminal histories of some goons who assaulted him.
—Inkoo Kang, New Yorker, 22 Sep. 2025
He’s accompanied by ace assassin, Louie (Gerard Butler, almost unrecognizable), and another goon, Lefty (Louis Cancelmi).
—Pete Hammond, Deadline, 3 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for go on
Recent Examples of Synonyms for go on
Verb
-
There was a chill in the air, but for Liverpool’s midfielder, newly arrived from Spain, the real culture shock was what happened on the pitch.—
Oliver Kay,
New York Times,
16 Oct. 2025
-
At the time, authorities said several companies operated on the Accurate Energetic Systems property, but the blast happened in an area operated by Rio Ammunition.—
Isabel Rosales,
CNN Money,
16 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Mitchell Summers rambled for 250 yards and two touchdowns on 18 carries, including an 80-yard score, while Jack Snyder threw for 147 yards and a TD while picking up 68 yards on the ground.—
Kilty Cleary,
MSNBC Newsweek,
18 Oct. 2025
-
Kachina rambles for 5 miles but the most vibrant color is found on the first half of the hike.—
Roger Naylor,
AZCentral.com,
10 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
In The Big Lebowski, thugs mistake the titular slacker (Bridges) for the wealthy Jeffrey Lebowski, sending him on a wild investigation with his pal Walter (John Goodman) into a ransom plot involving Lebowski’s young wife (Tara Reid).—
Glenn Garner,
Deadline,
8 Oct. 2025
-
Girls were there and there were guys that were really extra on some thug, some goon sh*t.—
Preezy Brown,
VIBE.com,
29 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
When New Jersey suddenly came down hard on business, neighbouring Delaware decided to rewrite its rulebook to scoop up companies fleeing the state.—
Jan Hammer,
Fortune,
18 Oct. 2025
-
The bottom line is that when the Federal Reserve lowers interest rates, borrowing costs generally will come down; however, the offset is that the rate of return for checking and savings accounts will fall.—
Kevin Cerveny,
Kansas City Star,
17 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
Only a moron would cut the funding of an industry that actually brings revenue into the government’s pocket.—
Marta Balaga,
Variety,
18 Sep. 2025
-
Seth Rollins gassed Bron up by saying Jey Uso thinks his dad is a loser and his uncle is a moron.—
Alfred Konuwa,
Forbes.com,
18 Aug. 2025
Noun
-
She's been gone for over 20 years, and so to win this for a soap opera, playing a villain, is really wonderful.—
Julia Moore,
PEOPLE,
18 Oct. 2025
-
Not to mention Elm Street introduced a villain for the ages in Freddy Krueger, an instant icon played by Robert Englund, whose charisma was strong enough to shine through even the thickest makeup.—
Gwen Ihnat,
Entertainment Weekly,
18 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Turner would try to rattle Simons at practices, just to test him.—
Jay King,
New York Times,
16 Oct. 2025
-
And, that there was a goblin, squatting in my skull, rattling a metal pail full of bolts and hissing failure, rot, spoil.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
15 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
So, the parallel thing that I’ve been frustrated by recently is not just calling Trump stupid, but calling Trump voters stupid.—
Drew Broussard
May 22,
Literary Hub,
22 May 2025
-
Sometimes too stupid is actually smartski but sometimes is just stupid stupid.—
Caroline Downey,
National Review,
27 Mar. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Go on.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/go%20on. Accessed 19 Oct. 2025.
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