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
Relevance
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
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
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
-
Based on the book by Slow Horses scribe Mick Herron, in Down Cemetery Road, when a house explodes in a quiet Oxford suburb and a girl disappears in the aftermath, neighbor Sarah Trafford (Wilson) becomes obsessed with finding her and enlists the help of private investigator Zoë Boehm (Thompson).—
Denise Petski,
Deadline,
29 Sep. 2025
-
Eventually, that moment comes when the artist explodes.—
Christopher Claxton,
Billboard,
22 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
The state will announce other closures as the project progresses, officials said.—
Joe Marusak,
Charlotte Observer,
3 Oct. 2025
-
October does not typically begin with flannel-and-jeans weather, but Louisville is supposed to be gradually trending in that direction as the month progresses.—
Leo Bertucci,
Louisville Courier Journal,
2 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Both of the Bills’ AFC title game exits have come at Arrowhead Stadium.—
Austin Mock,
New York Times,
2 Oct. 2025
-
And the race could tighten further if Sliwa exits the race.—
Amie Parnes,
The Hill,
1 Oct. 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
-
He's involved in everything the Journal Sentinel does online — both our website and our social media platforms, like Instagram, YouTube, TikTok and Facebook.—
Milwaukee Journal Sentinel,
jsonline.com,
3 Oct. 2025
-
What time does 'Life of a Showgirl' drop?—
Natalie Neysa Alund,
USA Today,
2 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
But as soon as the plane departs, the barriers must remain sealed.—
Colson Thayer,
PEOPLE,
26 Sep. 2025
-
Many companies falter after a great early leader departs.—
Zeynep Ton,
Harvard Business Review,
26 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Will his focus remain the same when the first trade rumor pops up?—
Nick Friedell,
New York Times,
1 Oct. 2025
-
Harrison pops in and out of these different iterations of the characters seamlessly, dropping Midlands slang in his baby blue trackies one moment and then fiercely fighting back tears the next.—
Emlyn Travis,
Entertainment Weekly,
30 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
The event will feature local journalists, along with artisans and podcasters, for a night that goes behind the scenes of local news.—
Detroit Free Press staff,
Freep.com,
4 Oct. 2025
-
That goes for maximizing fall color as well as about every other growth/performance metric.—
Paul Cappiello,
Louisville Courier Journal,
3 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Goes off.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/goes%20off. Accessed 5 Oct. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share