1
as in exploding
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 progressing
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 departing
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 going off
But Trump’s penchant for going off-script has sometimes taken the focus off cost-of-living issues and his administration’s plans for how to combat it.
—
Seung Min Kim, Fortune, 27 Jan. 2026
Research suggests that going off the drugs earlier than this can increase the odds of relapsing.
—The New York Times News Service Syndicate, San Diego Union-Tribune, 27 Jan. 2026
Both Peter Thiel and David Sacks packed their bags right at the end of 2025, with the PayPal cofounder heading to Florida and the venture capitalist going off to Texas.
—Nicole Hoey, Robb Report, 9 Jan. 2026
When Dedelow purchased the station with partnership investors in 2004, WJOB was saved from going off the airwaves and likely bankruptcy.
—Philip Potempa, Chicago Tribune, 7 Jan. 2026
In Finnmark, skiing may offer an additional challenge — going off-piste by going ski touring.
—Susan B. Barnes, USA Today, 6 Nov. 2025
She and Kelce got engaged in August, and going off of what the musician has previously said about her wedding plans, Teller and Sperry definitely have a good chance of being on the guest list.
—Hannah Dailey, Billboard, 5 Nov. 2025
After Hedda burns Lovborg’s manuscript and Lovborg is shot by a pistol accidentally going off in her own hand (a gun gifted to her by Hedda, one of General Gabler’s ornate firearms), Tesman and Thea team up to attempt to rewrite Lovborg’s manuscript by hand.
—Rory Doherty, Time, 29 Oct. 2025
The two hadn’t been in touch much after going off to different colleges, but ran into each other by total coincidence at a 50-mile race in Big Bear in 2024.
—Erika I. Ritchie, Oc Register, 22 Oct. 2025
Seung Min Kim, Fortune, 27 Jan. 2026
Research suggests that going off the drugs earlier than this can increase the odds of relapsing.
—The New York Times News Service Syndicate, San Diego Union-Tribune, 27 Jan. 2026
Both Peter Thiel and David Sacks packed their bags right at the end of 2025, with the PayPal cofounder heading to Florida and the venture capitalist going off to Texas.
—Nicole Hoey, Robb Report, 9 Jan. 2026
When Dedelow purchased the station with partnership investors in 2004, WJOB was saved from going off the airwaves and likely bankruptcy.
—Philip Potempa, Chicago Tribune, 7 Jan. 2026
In Finnmark, skiing may offer an additional challenge — going off-piste by going ski touring.
—Susan B. Barnes, USA Today, 6 Nov. 2025
She and Kelce got engaged in August, and going off of what the musician has previously said about her wedding plans, Teller and Sperry definitely have a good chance of being on the guest list.
—Hannah Dailey, Billboard, 5 Nov. 2025
After Hedda burns Lovborg’s manuscript and Lovborg is shot by a pistol accidentally going off in her own hand (a gun gifted to her by Hedda, one of General Gabler’s ornate firearms), Tesman and Thea team up to attempt to rewrite Lovborg’s manuscript by hand.
—Rory Doherty, Time, 29 Oct. 2025
The two hadn’t been in touch much after going off to different colleges, but ran into each other by total coincidence at a 50-mile race in Big Bear in 2024.
—Erika I. Ritchie, Oc Register, 22 Oct. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for going off
Verb
-
The overlapping relationships between the three, heightened by external narratives in the press and online, fester in isolation, eventually exploding into tragedy.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
6 Jan. 2026
-
Yoo thinks the company lost momentum after the 2016 Galaxy Note 7 crisis, when exploding batteries forced a massive recall.—
Nicholas Gordon,
Fortune,
6 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Skiers and riders can enhance their skills, starting in the mellow, high-alpine powder fields of Bergman Bowl and progressing to the steep trees and rock drops of The Outback.—
Sara Hansen,
Denver Post,
22 Jan. 2026
-
Work is progressing on the 42, while initial designs have been completed for the 82 and 112.—
Rachel Cormack,
Robb Report,
21 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Six departing flights and six arriving flights had been cancelled at Clinton National Airport in Little Rock as of late Monday afternoon, said Heather Kendrick, a spokesperson for the airport.—
Anne Li,
Arkansas Online,
27 Jan. 2026
-
Leader departing Top Border Patrol official Gregory Bovino and some of his agents are expected to leave Minneapolis and return to their respective sectors, sources say.—
CNN Money,
CNN Money,
26 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
In a post on Telegram, Kiper said a two-story residential building was damaged and that a drone hit an apartment on the 17th floor of a high-rise building without detonating.—
Illia Novikov,
Los Angeles Times,
1 Jan. 2026
-
Jayme Thornton Crossfire’s approach of detonating water balloons in midair—which has yet to be patented so the team would not describe it in detail—could eventually change the calculation about how much suppressant is needed to fight fires.—
IEEE Spectrum,
IEEE Spectrum,
24 Dec. 2025
Verb
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In doing so, something incredible is revealed — the peak of the annual Perseid meteor shower will coincide with a total solar eclipse.—
Jamie Carter,
Forbes.com,
25 Jan. 2026
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In a telephone call on Saturday, Hennessey estimated that 50 of the paper’s 200 journalists are covering the story daily, doing everything from tracking protests and monitoring immigration enforcement action to covering the significant business impact on the city.—
Max Tani,
semafor.com,
25 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Drivers should slow down and use caution when exiting highways, as ramp conditions may vary.—
Kansas City Star,
Kansas City Star,
26 Jan. 2026
-
Christian Vesper is exiting his role as Fremantle‘s CEO of Global Drama and Film.—
Jesse Whittock,
Deadline,
26 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Meanwhile, California continued blowing money on a high-speed rail project that is years behind schedule and billions over budget, was bilked for billions in fraud, and funded an anti-homelessness bureaucracy with no accountability, among other things.—
Matt Fleming,
Oc Register,
26 Jan. 2026
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The idea is not only to speed up the time for AI systems to respond, but also to enable larger context windows, add quality checks on answers and keep AI features turned on for more users without blowing past budgets.—
Ron Schmelzer,
Forbes.com,
26 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
San Jose was seventh in MLS with 60 goals scored while going 11-15-8 last season.—
Mercury News,
Mercury News,
14 Jan. 2026
-
But most of its richest pleasures come down to Fiennes going balls to the wall with a truly memorable character — half lunatic and half visionary.—
David Rooney,
HollywoodReporter,
13 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Going off.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/going%20off. Accessed 30 Jan. 2026.
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