1
as in happening
to take place
what in the world is going on in there?
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
2
as in rambling
to talk at length without sticking to a topic or getting to a point
my, but Aunt Betty does go on about all of her aches and pains
Synonyms & Similar Words
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 on
Just like the 1981 film, which starred Carol Burnett, Alan Alda, Rita Moreno and more, the show sees the group going on weekend getaways.
—
Angeline Jane Bernabe, ABC News, 28 May 2026
The first quarter was back and forth until the Aces got hot, going on a 13-0 run over a 90-second stretch to break open a double-digit lead fueled by six points from Carter.
—Emily Adams, Hartford Courant, 14 May 2026
All conversations are going on at the moment.
—K.j. Yossman, Variety, 7 May 2026
The organizers of the 2028 Olympics in Los Angeles continued to roll out tickets, with packages of preferred seats and suites going on sale this week.
—James Rainey, Los Angeles Times, 30 Apr. 2026
Imai made three starts before going on the IL with what the team described as arm fatigue.
—Chandler Rome, New York Times, 30 Apr. 2026
McGraw first broke through in Flanagan’s The Haunting of Hill House before going on to play Young Yelena in Black Widow.
—Anthony D'alessandro, Deadline, 30 Apr. 2026
Or going on Spotify or Apple [Music] and going through the different playlists.
—Larisha Paul, Rolling Stone, 30 Apr. 2026
There’s certainly something janky going on with this place, right?
—Jen Chaney, Vulture, 30 Apr. 2026
Angeline Jane Bernabe, ABC News, 28 May 2026
The first quarter was back and forth until the Aces got hot, going on a 13-0 run over a 90-second stretch to break open a double-digit lead fueled by six points from Carter.
—Emily Adams, Hartford Courant, 14 May 2026
All conversations are going on at the moment.
—K.j. Yossman, Variety, 7 May 2026
The organizers of the 2028 Olympics in Los Angeles continued to roll out tickets, with packages of preferred seats and suites going on sale this week.
—James Rainey, Los Angeles Times, 30 Apr. 2026
Imai made three starts before going on the IL with what the team described as arm fatigue.
—Chandler Rome, New York Times, 30 Apr. 2026
McGraw first broke through in Flanagan’s The Haunting of Hill House before going on to play Young Yelena in Black Widow.
—Anthony D'alessandro, Deadline, 30 Apr. 2026
Or going on Spotify or Apple [Music] and going through the different playlists.
—Larisha Paul, Rolling Stone, 30 Apr. 2026
There’s certainly something janky going on with this place, right?
—Jen Chaney, Vulture, 30 Apr. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for going on
Verb
-
And ceasefire, allowing complete unfettered access, and most importantly, a full respect for humanitarian law and humanitarian aid workers, and that simply isn't happening at all right now.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
31 May 2026
-
Out with the Old, in with the Letterboxd Hollywood has always been obsessed with youth, but the current generational turnover happening inside entertainment has been especially disorienting for several reasons.—
Alison Foreman,
IndieWire,
31 May 2026
Verb
-
Throughout the latter two videos, Ivey spoke to the camera while driving his car and rambling through various evangelical talking points.—
Julia Poe,
Chicago Tribune,
30 Mar. 2026
-
This rambling 1,200-acre Southern California ranch has both and much more, plus a supremely private and scenic locale on the outskirts of the historic community of San Juan Capistrano.—
Wendy Bowman,
Robb Report,
10 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
As Miller relayed this story, the sound of a vehicle coming down the dirt road interrupted him.—
Rachel Monroe,
New Yorker,
14 May 2026
-
These barriers are now coming down.—
Peter S. Hendricks,
STAT,
6 May 2026
Verb
-
With violence erupting without warning from every corner — and the battle sounds on the soundtrack adding to the tension — wounded soldiers with limited supplies must perform delicate surgery despite shaking hands and rattling floors.—
Jordan Hoffman,
Entertainment Weekly,
29 May 2026
-
Despite the mothballed plant's handsome brick exterior, inside it's filled with rattling pipes, hazard signs and cockroach carcasses.—
Ishan Thakore,
NPR,
20 May 2026
Verb
-
In 2055, the world population will start going down.—
Derek Thompson,
The Atlantic,
26 May 2026
-
Late night ratings are going down.—
Dana Taylor,
USA Today,
19 May 2026
Verb
-
If an attacker needs code running on your Mac first, a fake app can become the front door.—
Kurt Knutsson,
FOXNews.com,
1 June 2026
-
However, that doesn’t mean there aren’t a ton of noteworthy deals running on the site right this second.—
Katie Decker-Jacoby,
StyleCaster,
18 May 2026
Verb
-
Police then shot Kirby in two more hails of gunfire, with the first and last shots coming about 17 seconds apart, video showed.—
David K. Li,
NBC news,
15 May 2026
-
That alone suggests there very well may be a sequel coming about the latter, much more controversial half of the King of Pop’s reign.—
Chris Murphy,
Vanity Fair,
12 May 2026
Verb
-
The Horned Frogs, coming off a 9-4 campaign, will turn to Harvard transfer Jaden Craig at quarterback and rely on returning All-Big 12 safety Jamel Johnson and the entire defensive line.—
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
29 May 2026
-
All three major averages are coming off a winning session and on pace for a positive week.—
CJ Haddad,
CNBC,
29 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Going on.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/going%20on. Accessed 3 Jun. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
