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
as in to progress
to move forward along a course
the wedding went off without so much as a single glitch
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in to depart
to leave a place often for another
don't go off without telling us where we can find you
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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
Though Soulwax’s night didn’t go off without a hitch — the event ended 15 minutes earlier than planned due to a noise complaint, and one attendee was removed for rowdy behavior — the Dewaele brothers are hopeful.
—
Ellise Shafer, Variety, 24 Feb. 2026
Their vehicle went off the roadway and struck a tree.
—Clara Harter, Los Angeles Times, 24 Feb. 2026
Republicans see these losses as alarms going off.
—Will Gottsegen, The Atlantic, 24 Feb. 2026
The late-night alum’s comments come after CBS announced that The Late Show with Stephen Colbert will go off the air in May, following ABC’s suspension of Jimmy Kimmel Live.
—Glenn Garner, Deadline, 23 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for go off
Ellise Shafer, Variety, 24 Feb. 2026
Their vehicle went off the roadway and struck a tree.
—Clara Harter, Los Angeles Times, 24 Feb. 2026
Republicans see these losses as alarms going off.
—Will Gottsegen, The Atlantic, 24 Feb. 2026
The late-night alum’s comments come after CBS announced that The Late Show with Stephen Colbert will go off the air in May, following ABC’s suspension of Jimmy Kimmel Live.
—Glenn Garner, Deadline, 23 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for go off
Recent Examples of Synonyms for go off
Verb
-
The #NationalFire burning in Florida has now exploded to 25,000 acres in size.—
Bill Kearney,
Sun Sentinel,
25 Feb. 2026
-
The three-family home that exploded has been deemed a total loss, displacing eight residents.—
Lance Reynolds,
Boston Herald,
25 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
As the evening progresses, André doesn’t explicitly tell him to expand his horizons, but Shawn seemingly comes away with that life lesson.—
Christopher Bonanos,
Vulture,
23 Feb. 2026
-
And with that connection comes a desire to help the sport grow and progress into the future.—
Outside,
Outside,
23 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Victor Nechita, vehicle program manager for the product CEO Elon Musk has said is a key to the company’s future, is departing after almost six years at the Austin automaker.—
Andrea Guzmán,
Austin American Statesman,
26 Feb. 2026
-
While Adam is tracking toward possibly being ready for opening day following last year’s season-ending quadriceps injury, closer Robert Suarez departed to Atlanta as a free agent and Yuki Matsui’s early availability is in question after tweaking his groin.—
Jeff Sanders,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
26 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
An explosive device detonated near a Moscow police vehicle early Tuesday, killing a police officer and the assailant while injuring two other officers.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
24 Feb. 2026
-
During a trip to New York, an off-camera exchange detonates the conflict.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
24 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
In response to a market-moving piece of dystopian fan fiction fearmongering about AI, Citadel Securities put out its own brief on the historical precedent for AI’s impact and the improbability that the technology will render humans unemployable any more than the typewriter or the internet did.—
Tiana Lowe Doescher,
The Washington Examiner,
27 Feb. 2026
-
More than 20 states currently have agreements with the agency permitting them to do so; Landry, the Louisiana Secretary of State, highlighted that SAVE had been used in her state’s ongoing investigation.—
Connor Greene,
Time,
27 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Powell totaled three points on 1-of-5 shooting from the field and 1-of-4 shooting on threes, three rebounds and two assists in 10 first-half minutes before his groin issue forced him to exit the game early.—
Anthony Chiang,
Miami Herald,
27 Feb. 2026
-
This call arrived shortly after an out-of-state couple stopped by the Troy police station lobby to report that their 36-year-old son had exited their vehicle and run off.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
26 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Some of these co-conspirators’ names have popped up in the latest tranche of public files, but Giuffre is no longer here to hold them to account, having died by suicide last April.—
Amy Wallace,
Mercury News,
25 Feb. 2026
-
Rashaun Jones’ name kept popping up as a suspect in the days following the murder, testified Miami-Dade Sheriff’s Office Det.—
Grethel Aguila,
Miami Herald,
24 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
The owner proceeded to her departure gate.—
Kyle Melnick,
Washington Post,
22 Feb. 2026
-
The Tidal Basin Seawall Rehabilitation Project is proceeding well.—
Amy DeLaura,
The Washington Examiner,
21 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Go off.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/go%20off. Accessed 1 Mar. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
