1
as in happens
to take place
what in the world is going on in there?
Synonyms & Similar Words
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2
as in rambles
to talk at length without sticking to a topic or getting to a point
my, but Aunt Betty does go on about all of her aches and pains
Synonyms & Similar Words
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of goes on
Playful yet professional, this goes on like a normal polish but delivers a gel-like finish—minus the damage of a UV lamp.
—
Taryn Brooke, Glamour, 16 Feb. 2026
Wednesday night will be mostly clear in the evening and become partly cloudy as the night goes on.
—Jordan Green, Memphis Commercial Appeal, 26 Jan. 2026
Lewis goes on to say that only reading modern books is like trying to join a conversation halfway through.
—Big Think, 28 Oct. 2025
In Möbius strip fashion, Gein grows obsessed with crime — and the toxic blooming of his obsession into murder goes on to enthrall the world.
—Daniel D'addario, Variety, 30 Sep. 2025
In normal times, the question of how bad depends on how long a shutdown goes on for, and what specific contingency plans agencies have made to deal with it.
—Erin Neil, New Yorker, 30 Sep. 2025
There’s also 7 Brew, Swig, HTeaO, Ziggi’s Coffee, PJ’s Coffee of New Orleans…the list goes on.
—Abigail Wilt, Southern Living, 23 Sep. 2025
When Tony's security company faces an attack from unknown malicious forces, the family goes on the run across Europe while figuring out who is after them, according to Paramount.
—Mary Walrath-Holdridge, USA Today, 3 Sep. 2025
This gap between what teachers need and what the administrators are providing can partly be attributed to the distance between the latter and what goes on in their building’s classrooms day-to-day.
—IndyStar, 3 Sep. 2025
Taryn Brooke, Glamour, 16 Feb. 2026
Wednesday night will be mostly clear in the evening and become partly cloudy as the night goes on.
—Jordan Green, Memphis Commercial Appeal, 26 Jan. 2026
Lewis goes on to say that only reading modern books is like trying to join a conversation halfway through.
—Big Think, 28 Oct. 2025
In Möbius strip fashion, Gein grows obsessed with crime — and the toxic blooming of his obsession into murder goes on to enthrall the world.
—Daniel D'addario, Variety, 30 Sep. 2025
In normal times, the question of how bad depends on how long a shutdown goes on for, and what specific contingency plans agencies have made to deal with it.
—Erin Neil, New Yorker, 30 Sep. 2025
There’s also 7 Brew, Swig, HTeaO, Ziggi’s Coffee, PJ’s Coffee of New Orleans…the list goes on.
—Abigail Wilt, Southern Living, 23 Sep. 2025
When Tony's security company faces an attack from unknown malicious forces, the family goes on the run across Europe while figuring out who is after them, according to Paramount.
—Mary Walrath-Holdridge, USA Today, 3 Sep. 2025
This gap between what teachers need and what the administrators are providing can partly be attributed to the distance between the latter and what goes on in their building’s classrooms day-to-day.
—IndyStar, 3 Sep. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for goes on
Verb
-
And because Mary Lavin is working with the short story rather than the novel, what happens in her fiction must have the noise of delicacy and then a fierce or piercing after-effect.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
3 Mar. 2026
-
Sure, statement handbags, oversized sunglasses, and bold accessories grab attention–but the magic often happens in the details most people overlook.—
Amanda Le,
InStyle,
3 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Kachina rambles for 5 miles but the most vibrant color is found on the first half of the hike.—
Roger Naylor,
AZCentral.com,
10 Oct. 2025
-
The residence rambles over more than 14,500 square feet with 13 bedrooms and nine and a half baths.—
Abby Montanez,
Robb Report,
16 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Because there is little doubt that Canadiens management sees what their coach sees, and what anyone watching their team sees.—
Arpon Basu,
New York Times,
6 Mar. 2026
-
There is a road closure on Harry Darby Memorial Highway between I-70 exit 4A and I-70 East.—
Kansas City Star,
Kansas City Star,
6 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Newcomb got the start Tuesday against the San Diego Padres at Camelback Ranch and allowed two runs on five hits with one strikeout and one walk in three innings.—
LaMond Pope,
Chicago Tribune,
4 Mar. 2026
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As for the offense, Ortiz believes there is room for improvement but that the Red Sox have enough talent to consistently put runs on the board.—
Mac Cerullo,
Boston Herald,
26 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Arteta is making a strong show of maintaining his composure while the noise outside rattles the windows.—
Amy Lawrence,
New York Times,
13 Feb. 2026
-
The device, which clamps onto the line just above the hook and pairs zinc and graphite in seawater, creates a small electric field about the size of a beachball around the hook, and rattles approaching sharks.—
Bill Kearney,
Sun Sentinel,
6 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Goes on.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/goes%20on. Accessed 9 Mar. 2026.
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