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
Relevance
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
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 going off
Others, however, took issue with Kimmel’s comments immediately following Kirk’s assassination, and welcomed his show going off the air.
—
Dan Heching, CNN Money, 18 Feb. 2026
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
Dan Heching, CNN Money, 18 Feb. 2026
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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for going off
Verb
-
The creative industries there were exploding.—
Patrick Brzeski,
HollywoodReporter,
15 Feb. 2026
-
Ratner, of course, earned Hollywood over $2 billion with his blockbusters about gunfire and exploding cars.—
Amy Nicholson,
Twin Cities,
8 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Molinar presented mid-year MAP data on Tuesday night at the school board meeting, showing how students in kindergarten through eighth grade are progressing compared to their national peers.—
Lina Ruiz,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
11 Feb. 2026
-
Boswell has returned to practice, but Illinois needs to evaluate how his hand is progressing this week.—
Colleen Kane,
Chicago Tribune,
11 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Lock your home before departing.—
CA Weather Bot,
Sacbee.com,
17 Feb. 2026
-
Connecticut, Hawaii, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Jersey and New York were also among the 10 states with the greatest numbers of departing residents.—
Editorial Board,
Washington Post,
16 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
The statement said the attacker on Friday opened fire on security guards who tried to stop him at the main gate before detonating his explosive vest after reaching the mosque's inner gate.—
MUNIR AHMED,
Arkansas Online,
8 Feb. 2026
-
The statement said the attacker on Friday opened fire on security guards who tried to stop him at the main gate before detonating his explosive vest after reaching the mosque’s inner gate.—
Munir Ahmed,
Los Angeles Times,
7 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
In saliva samples from 628 adults, researchers at New York University Abu Dhabi found that people living with obesity host a distinct oral microbiome, one that differs not just in species, but in what those microbes are actively doing.—
New Atlas,
New Atlas,
14 Feb. 2026
-
Gage’s Robert is also no slouch in the come-on department, gushing over Jack’s appearance and enticing him by wearing women’s lingerie and doing you don’t want to know what else.—
David Rooney,
HollywoodReporter,
14 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
These included rumors that Davis was exiting the company for a potential top position at Alaïa, and would be succeeded by Gucci’s former creative director Sabato De Sarno.—
Sandra Salibian,
Footwear News,
16 Feb. 2026
-
Money is exiting, but the majority of assets have remained in place, and some ETF experts say the money being pulled isn’t from the long-term investor or financial advisor that have begun allocating to the asset class.—
Krysta Escobar,
CNBC,
15 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Try to find a place that will block blowing or falling debris.—
CA Weather Bot,
Sacbee.com,
16 Feb. 2026
-
Reality Check makes a point to mention ad nauseam that much of the public backlash toward America’s Next Top Model took hold following the pandemic, when a majority of people were blowing through their to-watch queue, desperately seeking fresh viewing fodder.—
Hunter Lacey,
Allure,
16 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Third game Leonard thrilled his home crowd with a dynamic effort, going 11 of 13 and 6 of 7 from beyond the arc.—
Greg Beacham,
Twin Cities,
16 Feb. 2026
-
Space enthusiasts desperately wanted to see astronauts boldly going – preferably in Heinlein-style atomic cruisers.—
New Atlas,
New Atlas,
15 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Going off.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/going%20off. Accessed 19 Feb. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
