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

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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 Didn’t all young people go off to seek their fortune, like in the fairy tales? Literary Hub, 11 Mar. 2026 And if your visit goes off without a hitch, the feeling will be almost as sweet as watching Messi find the back of the net. Dave Lieber mar. 11, Dallas Morning News, 11 Mar. 2026 The bomb, an improvised explosive device (IED), went off Sunday and damaged the entrance to the embassy's consular section. Louis Casiano, FOXNews.com, 11 Mar. 2026 The bomb that was thrown didn’t go off, causing nothing but smoke, but an investigation later revealed it was packed with explosive material as well as metal nuts and bolts inside that could have been deadly if detonated. Thomas Tracy, New York Daily News, 10 Mar. 2026 See All Example Sentences for go off
Recent Examples of Synonyms for go off
Verb
  • Sudan slid into chaos in April 2023 when a power struggle between the military and the militant group exploded into open fighting in Khartoum and elsewhere in the country.
    Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 12 Mar. 2026
  • Nineteenth-century naval mines exploded on contact.
    Jon R. Lindsay, The Conversation, 11 Mar. 2026
Verb
  • While fans will have to tune in to see how the other five age-gap couples progress, Nick and Natalie reveal that there were eight other matches that the show didn't follow.
    Sarah Hearon, Entertainment Weekly, 16 Mar. 2026
  • Without treatment one form of the illness can progress from mild symptoms to death in a matter of weeks.
    Fran Kritz, NPR, 16 Mar. 2026
Verb
  • Ryan will throw a bullpen session Saturday, then depart Twins camp to join Team USA.
    Johnny Flores Jr, New York Times, 13 Mar. 2026
  • Disney had said in February that Schake would depart her position after March 18.
    Meg James, Los Angeles Times, 12 Mar. 2026
Verb
  • In Lebanon and parts of Syria, Israel detonated thousands of pagers of Hezbollah officials and bombed the group’s headquarters in southern Beirut, killing its leader, Hassan Nasrallah.
    Sudarsan Raghavan, New Yorker, 12 Mar. 2026
  • None of the devices were detonated, and nobody was injured.
    Matt Lavietes, NBC news, 10 Mar. 2026
Verb
  • So, this administration is doing it all backwards.
    Morgan Chalfant, semafor.com, 13 Mar. 2026
  • Experiencing that life cycle of knowing where my food comes from and watching my uncles do the butchering and then eating it the same day through slow roasting was really impactful for me as a kid.
    Claire Salinda, Los Angeles Times, 13 Mar. 2026
Verb
  • They will also be notified of other account activities, such as when their kid adds a new contact or exits a pre-approved group chat.
    Jibin Joseph, PC Magazine, 12 Mar. 2026
  • Mired in post-production for more than three years, with Wyatt temporarily exiting the project, Desert Warrior world premiered at the Zurich Film Festival last autumn and then played at the Red Sea Film Festival in December.
    Melanie Goodfellow, Deadline, 12 Mar. 2026
Verb
  • The brush consistently delivers the right amount of product, creating noticeable length and definition that make my eyes pop.
    Catharine Malzahn, Glamour, 18 Mar. 2026
  • As the vast landscape spread out below, filled with roaming herds and golden hues, our guest popped the question—creating a moment both magical and unforgettable.
    Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 17 Mar. 2026
Verb
  • The better idea, Stewart said, is to simply drop all of the bills and proceed with the status quo.
    Christopher Keating, Hartford Courant, 15 Mar. 2026
  • Demolition, which was tentatively scheduled for March 9 but delayed, could proceed any day.
    Frederick Melo, Twin Cities, 15 Mar. 2026

Cite this Entry

“Go off.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/go%20off. Accessed 18 Mar. 2026.

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