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
2
as in progresses
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 exits
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
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Recent Examples of goes off
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
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
-
Not the kind that explodes into shouting matches, but the silent, slow-burning kind.—
Stephan Lendi,
Forbes.com,
8 Sep. 2025
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As Kevin, a truly reluctant hero who can’t escape his fundamental goodness, attempts to drive the kids and Mary across town, the Camp Fire explodes.—
Kate Erbland,
IndieWire,
6 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Critical to healthy pregnancy outcomes, these hormones provide insights into how a pregnancy progresses.—
Maria Mocerino,
Interesting Engineering,
13 Sep. 2025
-
Several episodes have already released with more coming as the season progresses.—
Kristi Dosh,
Forbes.com,
13 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Michael Douglas is pictured with his lookalike son, Cameron Douglas, as the pair exits The Drew Barrymore Show in New York City.—
Toria Sheffield,
PEOPLE,
9 Sep. 2025
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Planned exits from low-margin businesses and a temporary plant closure also impacted sales.—
Joe Cornell,
Forbes.com,
8 Sep. 2025
Verb
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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
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Determined to finish the job, Dante detonates explosives on the dam itself.—
EW.com,
EW.com,
24 Aug. 2025
Verb
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Charleston doesn’t do seasons the way the rest of America does.—
Jenn Rice,
Forbes.com,
12 Sep. 2025
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Never follow your boyfriend to college, especially a seemingly mediocre college, as Belly does with Jeremiah to the fictional Finch.—
Vogue,
Vogue,
11 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Physio Ash Pracy departs while head of women’s physio Amy Cranston is also taking maternity leave on a temporary basis.—
Charlotte Harpur,
New York Times,
6 Sep. 2025
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From Zurich Airport, hop on Switzerland’s efficient SBB rail system, which departs every hour and whisks you toward the Alps in just over three hours.—
Alexandra Emanuelli,
Travel + Leisure,
6 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Macaroni and cheese is Drew Barrymore’s favorite meal and pops up frequently on her talk show.—
Emlyn Travis,
Entertainment Weekly,
11 Sep. 2025
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What happens is something like the Charlotte Latino Film Festival pops up and people go look at all these festivals.—
Zach Dennis,
Charlotte Observer,
11 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Their simple plan goes awry when one of their relatives wants a posh Korean wedding banquet in the heartfelt romantic comedy.—
Brian Truitt,
USA Today,
13 Sep. 2025
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Non-coffee drinkers can opt for the blueberry matcha latte, which goes beautifully with one of the oversized blueberry muffins.—
Lauren Dana Ellman,
Travel + Leisure,
12 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Goes off.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/goes%20off. Accessed 15 Sep. 2025.
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