goes off

present tense third-person singular of go off
1
as in explodes
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 goes off When an alarm goes off, is snoozed, or is stopped. ArsTechnica, 15 Sep. 2025 Frimpong, who is expected to deputise wide on the right when Salah goes off to the Africa Cup of Nations in December, is 24. James Pearce, New York Times, 15 Sep. 2025 After a poker game involving John Constantine and Jason Blood (alter ego of Etrigan the Demon) goes off the rails, average citizens suddenly start killing people, believing their victims to be demons. Will Harris, Entertainment Weekly, 6 Sep. 2025 Suddenly, in this endless stretch of sameness, a siren goes off. Carmen Maria MacHado, New Yorker, 5 Sep. 2025 But when Ellie goes off to retrieve her and Joel’s horses, Joel — who had promised not to shoot Eugene — does so anyway. Michael Schneider, Variety, 16 Aug. 2025 If the launch goes off as now scheduled, and if the second launch of the month doesn't get similarly moved, then spectators could be in for a treat. Eric Lagatta, AZCentral.com, 12 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for goes off
Verb
  • Eventually, that moment comes when the artist explodes.
    Christopher Claxton, Billboard, 22 Sep. 2025
  • Momo watches from a distance, and the devastation leads her to crush a piece of Nanoskin in her hand, which briefly forms a heart before melting away as her home explodes behind her.
    Jordana Comiter, PEOPLE, 19 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • As the album progresses, Larsson jumps between the more sweet and sour emotions that percolate in the heat.
    Brittany Spanos, Rolling Stone, 26 Sep. 2025
  • Early evaluation and treatment are critical because sepsis progresses rapidly, and prompt recognition and interventions can mean the difference between life and death.
    Daryl Austin, USA Today, 25 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • Summer exits the frame and can be heard running across the apartment.
    Natalia Senanayake, PEOPLE, 26 Sep. 2025
  • Audits and exits Brinkley’s time as interim chief will coincide with the beginning of a department audit and inspection ordered by the city and conducted by an unaffiliated third party organization.
    Ilana Arougheti, Kansas City Star, 24 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • Brother Dusk detonates explosives that shatter the cryonic chamber of Cleon clones, bodies raining down in blood and glass, before plucking a single embryo from the wreckage to bait Demerzel’s deepest programming.
    JP Mangalindan, Time, 12 Sep. 2025
  • Determined to finish the job, Dante detonates explosives on the dam itself.
    EW.com, EW.com, 24 Aug. 2025
Verb
  • In Season 3, Arisu follows Usagi into Borderland, just like Alice does the white rabbit to Wonderland.
    Kayti Burt, Time, 26 Sep. 2025
  • The housing authority, which does business as the Metropolitan Housing Alliance, is governed by a five-member board.
    Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 26 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • Prince Harry departs after visiting the Centre For Blast Injury Studies at Imperial College London, in England, on September 10, 2025.
    Jack Royston, MSNBC Newsweek, 11 Sep. 2025
  • Ivacic departs the Revolution after two seasons and 49 regular-season starts, with 12 clean sheets to his credit.
    Boston Herald staff, Boston Herald, 11 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • Wearing this vest open offers a great little bump to the internal thermostat, while zipping it up all the way pops up the collar for extra warmth around your neck.
    Alice Bennett, Travel + Leisure, 25 Sep. 2025
  • The diversity of his downfield routes pops.
    Kansas City Star, Kansas City Star, 25 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • The camera goes hurtling after the characters, none of whom move the same way.
    Justin Chang, New Yorker, 26 Sep. 2025
  • To ensure compliance with these rules, the DMV collects a $3 fee from all drivers who enroll in these courses — money which goes toward routine monitoring of traffic schools.
    William Melhado, Sacbee.com, 26 Sep. 2025

Cite this Entry

“Goes off.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/goes%20off. Accessed 29 Sep. 2025.

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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