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
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Recent Examples of going off
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
If going off Wi-Fi cold turkey seems too extreme, Aguiar suggested giving kids a bit of time on devices as needed before taking them to do something else.
—Nathan Diller, USA Today, 16 Oct. 2025
Speaking of the penalty the Ferrari driver was handed, F1's governing body, the FIA, stated that Hamilton's argument of going off track to manage his brake failure situation was not justifiable.
—Saajan Jogia, MSNBC Newsweek, 8 Oct. 2025
Suddenly, fireworks started going off overhead.
—Autumn Barnes, NPR, 23 Sep. 2025
Tallinn blamed Russian jamming measures for the craft going off course.
—David Brennan, ABC News, 11 Sep. 2025
Billy awoke to the sound of another alarm going off in the plant.
—Manuel Muñoz, Literary Hub, 11 Sep. 2025
Another was the revelation of the daughter Morrow left behind before going off on a years-long space mission.
—EW.com, 3 Sep. 2025
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
If going off Wi-Fi cold turkey seems too extreme, Aguiar suggested giving kids a bit of time on devices as needed before taking them to do something else.
—Nathan Diller, USA Today, 16 Oct. 2025
Speaking of the penalty the Ferrari driver was handed, F1's governing body, the FIA, stated that Hamilton's argument of going off track to manage his brake failure situation was not justifiable.
—Saajan Jogia, MSNBC Newsweek, 8 Oct. 2025
Suddenly, fireworks started going off overhead.
—Autumn Barnes, NPR, 23 Sep. 2025
Tallinn blamed Russian jamming measures for the craft going off course.
—David Brennan, ABC News, 11 Sep. 2025
Billy awoke to the sound of another alarm going off in the plant.
—Manuel Muñoz, Literary Hub, 11 Sep. 2025
Another was the revelation of the daughter Morrow left behind before going off on a years-long space mission.
—EW.com, 3 Sep. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for going off
Verb
-
The neoliberal revolution, driven by former President Ronald Reagan in the United States and Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher in the United Kingdom, expanded capital markets enough to create whole new industries out of manipulating financial instruments; thus, exploding the finance industry.—
Eva Roytburg,
Fortune,
26 Oct. 2025
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With satellites orbiting the Earth exploding into tens of thousands of pieces, the danger of collisions with space debris is a major problem, so Atomic-6 has developed new Space Armor tiles that are lighter and more effective than current systems.—
David Szondy
October 26,
New Atlas,
26 Oct. 2025
Verb
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But this topic in particular — a quarterback progressing through his reads — really doesn’t work without a functioning offensive line.—
Kansas City Star,
Kansas City Star,
31 Oct. 2025
-
According to Fayez, Neom has attracted significant investment in infrastructure and planning and construction are progressing.—
MSNBC Newsweek,
MSNBC Newsweek,
30 Oct. 2025
Verb
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This comes after the Daily Mail reported thatEmily Robinson, the couple’s director of communications, was departing after only four months in the role.—
Lizzie Lanuza,
StyleCaster,
28 Oct. 2025
-
Passengers on a flight departing Pittsburgh International Airport (PIT) were left waiting on the tarmac after a flight attendant accidentally deployed the aircraft’s emergency slide.—
Khloe Quill,
FOXNews.com,
27 Oct. 2025
Verb
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In between detonating bombs hidden in Christmas presents and disfiguring the entire police force, Art sets his sights on the Shaw family.—
Declan Gallagher,
Entertainment Weekly,
31 Oct. 2025
-
In July 2011, a Norwegian neo-Nazi went on a rampage, detonating a bomb in Oslo, Norway, before opening fire at a Labour Party youth camp on nearby Utoya Island.—
Chelsea Bailey,
CNN Money,
19 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Hi hi hello, how is everyone doing this lovely Sunday?—
Rosalind Bowling,
Nashville Tennessean,
26 Oct. 2025
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In Atlanta in 2018, young tight end Austin Hooper learned that Paulsen was also doing scouting reports on tight ends who were upcoming draft prospects for the staff and for his agent.—
Jourdan Rodrigue,
New York Times,
25 Oct. 2025
Verb
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The mogul has been slowly stepping aside from the business, exiting his role as director emeritus at Charter last year, and moving to a new role as chairman emeritus at WBD earlier this year, effectively giving up board responsibilities.—
Alex Weprin,
HollywoodReporter,
29 Oct. 2025
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Related Stories In communications/PR, CBS’ New York team was hit hard; among those exiting are VP of entertainment communications.—
Michael Schneider,
Variety,
29 Oct. 2025
Verb
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That team pulled off this same trick, blowing the doors off all comers until slipping past USC.—
Pete Sampson,
New York Times,
2 Nov. 2025
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The space was stifling in the Louisiana heat, so fans were blowing for everyone inside.—
Luke Chinman,
PEOPLE,
31 Oct. 2025
Verb
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When the former fed asked him how the script was proceeding, he was met with stunned silence.—
Steve Belanger,
HollywoodReporter,
23 Oct. 2025
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Projects such as Interstate 80 between Davis and Sacramento and Route 65 in Placer County are proceeding as scheduled.—
David Lightman,
Sacbee.com,
22 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Going off.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/going%20off. Accessed 4 Nov. 2025.
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