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
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
Company rebrands are famous for going off the rails.
—R. Daniel Foster, Forbes.com, 22 Aug. 2025
So many cameras, so many people, phones going off all around you.
—Jacob Whitehead, New York Times, 14 Aug. 2025
Star guard Kelsey Plum had a rare off-game in the defeat, going off for just four points, four rebounds, and four assists over 34 minutes of action.
—Ben Verbrugge, MSNBC Newsweek, 10 Aug. 2025
Afterward, the fire alarm can be seen going off throughout the building.
—Joseph Wilkinson, New York Daily News, 5 Aug. 2025
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
Company rebrands are famous for going off the rails.
—R. Daniel Foster, Forbes.com, 22 Aug. 2025
So many cameras, so many people, phones going off all around you.
—Jacob Whitehead, New York Times, 14 Aug. 2025
Star guard Kelsey Plum had a rare off-game in the defeat, going off for just four points, four rebounds, and four assists over 34 minutes of action.
—Ben Verbrugge, MSNBC Newsweek, 10 Aug. 2025
Afterward, the fire alarm can be seen going off throughout the building.
—Joseph Wilkinson, New York Daily News, 5 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for going off
Verb
-
The unknown object collides with another moving object arriving from the opposite direction, exploding in a bright flash of light.—
Micah McCartney,
MSNBC Newsweek,
16 Sep. 2025
-
Elsewhere online, wellness culture was exploding.—
Clare Malone,
New Yorker,
15 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Still the Yankees are seemingly in better position given how the starting pitching for the most part is performing and how Aaron Judge is progressing.—
Larry Fleisher,
Forbes.com,
15 Sep. 2025
-
The two incidents meant that neither had a chance of making the top five and progressing to Monday’s final, prompting Van de Velde’s act of kindness.—
Jamie Barton,
CNN Money,
14 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Lock your home before departing.—
NC Weather Bot,
Charlotte Observer,
16 Sep. 2025
-
He was then seen departing the residence about 55 minutes later.—
Becca Longmire,
PEOPLE,
15 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Russia will test a new laser system designed to take out mines without detonating the explosive devices, state media reported on Thursday.—
Ellie Cook,
MSNBC Newsweek,
28 Aug. 2025
-
Livingston is angry at Shagan for detonating the bomb without his order, but nevertheless takes advantage of the confusion over Abigail's fate to remove her from power.—
Randall Colburn,
EW.com,
22 Aug. 2025
Verb
-
In doing so, Martin implicated billionaire bankers, major American corporations, and Colombia’s political elite.—
Martin Suarez,
Rolling Stone,
13 Sep. 2025
-
Back on the balcony, the magician was doing his best to charm basketball players Devin Booker and Jordan Clarkson with card tricks.—
Kristen Tauer,
Footwear News,
13 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Center Jonny King is considered questionable for Saturday’s contest after exiting in the second half against the Tar Heels.—
Hunter Bailey,
Charlotte Observer,
10 Sep. 2025
-
The air-condition, heating and electricity automatically turns off when the keycard is taken out of its slot, but to avoid this many leave one card in the slot when exiting the room.—
Mattias Goldmann,
Forbes.com,
10 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
As health restrictions discouraged people from blowing directly into instruments, Gajewski and Brown reimagined the design.—
Rupendra Brahambhatt,
Interesting Engineering,
14 Sep. 2025
-
Soldiers have also been spotted in parks carrying out tasks typically assigned to gardeners and landscapers – shoveling mulch, blowing leaves and scooping up trash.—
Cybele Mayes-Osterman,
USA Today,
14 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
As late as Wednesday, the administration was proceeding with planning an event, even though it was being organized in short order.—
Gary Robbins,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
13 Sep. 2025
-
Browning adds flavor, so make sure those mini meatballs are browned on all sides before transferring them to a plate and proceeding with the recipe.—
Robin Miller,
AZCentral.com,
11 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Going off.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/going%20off. Accessed 17 Sep. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share