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
The alerts were triggered by the severe thunderstorm moving through the area, alarming some residents who were unaware the city’s siren system now also goes off when a severe weather warning is issued by the National Weather Service.
—
Gloria Casas, Chicago Tribune, 16 Apr. 2026
The glitz and glamour of Tinseltown will be on full display at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles on Sunday, where the 98th Academy Awards are being held, but behind the scenes, there have also been intense preparations to ensure the high-profile event goes off without a hitch.
—Alex Stone, ABC News, 15 Mar. 2026
At this point, the show really goes off the rails.
—Patrick R. Crowley, Artforum, 1 Mar. 2026
Instead, her latest book goes off the rails.
—Boris Kachka, The Atlantic, 13 Feb. 2026
Torres recommends driving the car to see if the light goes off as the car thaws.
—Lois K. Solomon, Sun Sentinel, 31 Jan. 2026
For a new resort that has both a busy beach club and a more private guests-only aspect, the service goes off without a hitch.
—Todd Plummer, Condé Nast Traveler, 30 Jan. 2026
Once your timer goes off, leave the oven door closed and set a new timer for 45 minutes.
—Daley Quinn, Southern Living, 30 Jan. 2026
Joe has schizophrenia and sometimes goes off his meds.
—Randy Myers, Mercury News, 8 Jan. 2026
Gloria Casas, Chicago Tribune, 16 Apr. 2026
The glitz and glamour of Tinseltown will be on full display at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles on Sunday, where the 98th Academy Awards are being held, but behind the scenes, there have also been intense preparations to ensure the high-profile event goes off without a hitch.
—Alex Stone, ABC News, 15 Mar. 2026
At this point, the show really goes off the rails.
—Patrick R. Crowley, Artforum, 1 Mar. 2026
Instead, her latest book goes off the rails.
—Boris Kachka, The Atlantic, 13 Feb. 2026
Torres recommends driving the car to see if the light goes off as the car thaws.
—Lois K. Solomon, Sun Sentinel, 31 Jan. 2026
For a new resort that has both a busy beach club and a more private guests-only aspect, the service goes off without a hitch.
—Todd Plummer, Condé Nast Traveler, 30 Jan. 2026
Once your timer goes off, leave the oven door closed and set a new timer for 45 minutes.
—Daley Quinn, Southern Living, 30 Jan. 2026
Joe has schizophrenia and sometimes goes off his meds.
—Randy Myers, Mercury News, 8 Jan. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for goes off
Verb
-
Vann instantly explodes, then runs off into the distance, making it across the street before collapsing to the ground where a resident tried to help him with damp towels.—
Nate Gartrell,
Mercury News,
7 Apr. 2026
-
There’s an intimacy to it in the verses, and then there’s a big dynamic jump, an octave jump between the verse and the chorus, which just explodes into this hopeful, optimistic thing.—
Chris Willman,
Variety,
2 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
But as the season progresses, that outlet diminishes.—
José Criales-Unzueta,
Vanity Fair,
13 Apr. 2026
-
As the morning progresses, the radiant will continue to climb, but the sunrise and brightening skies will hinder visibility.—
Michele Laufik,
Martha Stewart,
13 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Meanwhile, three oil supertankers transited the narrow waterway, representing the biggest day of oil exits through Hormuz since Iran closed off the chokepoint through which one-fifth of the world’s oil passed before the war.—
Jason Ma,
Fortune,
11 Apr. 2026
-
Light is channeled along the length of each cantilever via a waveguide, and exits at its tip.—
IEEE Spectrum,
IEEE Spectrum,
9 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
After the pass comes to Bridges, who detonates passersby at the basket regularly, White goes straight up, though with a little more oomph than usual.—
Fred Katz,
New York Times,
8 Apr. 2026
-
Advertisement Christine Adams Courtesy of Apple TV Lang gets off the train and, once at a safe distance, detonates the explosive.—
Barry Levitt,
Time,
4 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
While some cleansers strip skin of moisture while purifying pores and removing dirt and oil, this one does the opposite, according to shoppers.—
Nicol Natale,
PEOPLE,
16 Apr. 2026
-
The 37-year-old scores in bunches and does it efficiently, Redick said.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
16 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
House Speaker Mike Johnson departs after a vote at the Capitol on March 26, 2026.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
17 Apr. 2026
-
But in the fourth episode of the season, the show departs from this reliable structure.—
Rafaela Bassili,
Vulture,
16 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
When the city clears one encampment, another pops up, often nearby.—
The Editorial Board,
Chicago Tribune,
15 Apr. 2026
-
His pocket awareness still needs work, though, and the occasional scattershot stretch pops up from time to time.—
Eddie Brown,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
12 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
If everything goes according to plan, the tugboat carrying Timmy will have left the Baltic Sea by Friday.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
16 Apr. 2026
-
As the saying goes, an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.—
Bailey Berg,
Travel + Leisure,
16 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Goes off.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/goes%20off. Accessed 20 Apr. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
