goes off

Definition of goes offnext
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 Hindsight is 20/20, especially when a year goes off the rails. Sean Keeler, Denver Post, 8 Nov. 2025 An art conservator who'd prefer to be immersed in detail work, Sarah is bombing as the host of a dinner party where her entrepreneur husband (Tom Riley) hopes to impress an obnoxious prospective investor (Tom Goodman-Hill) when a literal explosive goes off in her neighborhood. Judy Berman, Time, 29 Oct. 2025 Once your timer goes off, leave the oven door closed and set a new timer for 45 minutes. Daley Quinn, Southern Living, 25 Oct. 2025 When his master, Ser Arlan of Pennytree (Danny Webb), dies, Dunk knights himself Ser Duncan the Tall and goes off to compete in the tourney at Ashford Meadow to earn some coin, setting in motion certain events that will have ripple effects for the larger world. Nick Romano, Entertainment Weekly, 5 Oct. 2025 No concerns are raised, and the scheme goes off without a hitch. Andrew Bernard, The Washington Examiner, 3 Oct. 2025 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 Suddenly, in this endless stretch of sameness, a siren goes off. Carmen Maria MacHado, New Yorker, 5 Sep. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for goes off
Verb
  • Mike, Hopper, and everyone else who loves her can only stand there and watch as the bomb goes off and the exotic matter explodes.
    Maggie Fremont, Vulture, 1 Jan. 2026
  • But if the geological plumbing is clogged, perhaps by silica minerals or rock debris, the pressure can build until the water explodes, vaporizing into steam and shooting boiling water, mud, rocks, and other debris into the air.
    Owen Clarke, Outside, 23 Dec. 2025
Verb
  • But the reality for him, fairly or unfairly, is that if some of the habits persist, the smoke may turn to fire as the season progresses.
    Scott Wheeler, New York Times, 9 Nov. 2025
  • As the show progresses, flashbacks also reveal parts of many of the characters' pasts.
    Brittney Melton, NPR, 7 Nov. 2025
Verb
  • After Jack drives away, Rachel realizes her predicament and exits her car to find Alice.
    Sam Reed, Glamour, 9 Jan. 2026
  • The money will only be returned after the traveler exits the US before the expiry of their visa.
    Alexander Onukwue, semafor.com, 9 Jan. 2026
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
  • Light Fixtures The dishwasher does an excellent job cleaning hard plastic and glass light fixtures.
    Mary Marlowe Leverette, The Spruce, 9 Jan. 2026
  • To a lesser extent, the Escalade also does battle with cars like the BMW X7, the Lexus LX, Mercedes GLS, and Range Rover, though, considering only American full-size luxury SUVs—as many buyers in the segment do—Escalade is well on top.
    Erik Shilling, Robb Report, 9 Jan. 2026
Verb
  • As Kennedy departs, FN’s 2025 Company of the Year has appointed Justin Cupps as president of Wolverine Worldwide’s Work Group.
    Stephen Garner, Footwear News, 5 Nov. 2025
  • As Lorenzen departs, the Royals will reshape their starting rotation.
    Jaylon Thompson, Kansas City Star, 4 Nov. 2025
Verb
  • Usually, when a musician pops up on Jeopardy!
    Jon Blistein, Rolling Stone, 6 Jan. 2026
  • The same story pops up over and over again when automation occurs.
    Jeff Mayhugh, Washington Post, 5 Jan. 2026
Verb
  • This first three-dimensional cross-sectional image goes 11 miles) below the crater and shows what appear to be various pools of magma at different depths, with rock or other material between them and more numerous toward the southeast of the crater.
    Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 11 Jan. 2026
  • The handy bag goes with just about any outfit and can be dressed down for dog walks or dressed up for dinner out on the town.
    Mariana Best, Better Homes & Gardens, 11 Jan. 2026

Cite this Entry

“Goes off.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/goes%20off. Accessed 11 Jan. 2026.

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