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

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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 Louisville, Kentucky — The power had just gone off and the ground was shaking at Grade A Auto Parts when the owner received a panicked video call from his chief financial officer. Dalia Faheid, CNN Money, 6 Nov. 2025 Joseph and courthouse staff also did not know of the District Court rule to not go off-the-record during hearings, barring limited exceptions. Flint McColgan, Boston Herald, 6 Nov. 2025 She and Kelce got engaged in August, and going off of what the musician has previously said about her wedding plans, Teller and Sperry definitely have a good chance of being on the guest list. Hannah Dailey, Billboard, 5 Nov. 2025 If things go off track, take a deep breath, change the subject and try again the next day. Lauryn Higgins, Flow Space, 5 Nov. 2025 See All Example Sentences for go off
Recent Examples of Synonyms for go off
Verb
  • Propane tanks are actually more likely to explode due to excessive heat in the summer.
    Brandee Gruener, Southern Living, 7 Nov. 2025
  • Autumn is when the park really explodes in color.
    Karthika Gupta, Travel + Leisure, 7 Nov. 2025
Verb
  • But as the race progressed, Mamdani’s natural charm, catchy social media videos and populist economic platform energized voters in the notoriously expensive city.
    Sydney Lake, Fortune, 5 Nov. 2025
  • Logic suggests a worker on the NLW is likely to remain on or close to this wage in most cases, while a graduate entering a profession like accounting can expect significant pay increases as their career progresses.
    Ian King, CNBC, 5 Nov. 2025
Verb
  • Nine people remain missing after a UPS plane departing Louisville Muhammad Ali International Airport in Kentucky on Tuesday crashed in a ball of flames, killing at least 12 people.
    Megan Forrester, ABC News, 6 Nov. 2025
  • Since the father wanted to depart the country with his son, ICE attempted to work with IPS to get his son out of school before his flight.
    Caroline Beck, IndyStar, 6 Nov. 2025
Verb
  • In the predawn hours of October 31, FBI agents descended on the Detroit suburb where the men lived and detonated smoke bombs before storming into their homes.
    Mark Morales, CNN Money, 5 Nov. 2025
  • There are swift, serpentine vines dexterous enough to snatch Dek’s supplies; combustible little slugs that detonate like grenades when triggered; and exotic flowers that swell up and squirt paralyzing darts when something approaches.
    Peter Debruge, Variety, 4 Nov. 2025
Verb
  • The firm is also a member of this year’s Change the World list, which highlights companies that are doing social good through their business models.
    Sydney Lake, Fortune, 6 Nov. 2025
  • Otherwise, Craig Breslow will have a lot of explaining to do.
    Drew VonScio, MSNBC Newsweek, 6 Nov. 2025
Verb
  • Thankfully, Tia yet again rises to the occasion and smooths the fight over and helps Gizelle and Keiarna, at the very least, return to a common ground while Wendy exits stage left.
    Shamira Ibrahim, Vulture, 10 Nov. 2025
  • The driver, later identified as Sampson, continued to drive recklessly at high speed and exited the interstate and headed into downtown Ybor City.
    Alexandra Koch, FOXNews.com, 9 Nov. 2025
Verb
  • No injuries were reported after the incident, but airport staff who witnessed the landing described hearing multiple popping sounds as the wheels hit the tarmac followed by visible smoke.
    Bonny Chu, FOXNews.com, 8 Jan. 2026
  • The year before that, massive floating clown heads popped up in Downtown Crossing alleys, giving people a reason to look up from their phones.
    Neal Riley, CBS News, 7 Jan. 2026
Verb
  • Instead, the reaction proceeds through a cascade of events.
    Prabhat Ranjan Mishra, Interesting Engineering, 8 Jan. 2026
  • In it, Oldham costumes up as a shaggy woodland monster, which—after a more nimble inhabitant seemingly swaps into the outfit—proceeds to engage a human in an elaborate dance routine.
    Jazz Monroe, Pitchfork, 7 Jan. 2026

Cite this Entry

“Go off.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/go%20off. Accessed 8 Jan. 2026.

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