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
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
-
Ratner, of course, earned Hollywood over $2 billion with his blockbusters about gunfire and exploding cars.—
Amy Nicholson,
Twin Cities,
8 Feb. 2026
-
Waterfield opted to stay in California; Russell's career was exploding.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
8 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Do not forget Chelsea accrued in excess of £84m from winning the Club World Cup and have already brought in another £80m by progressing to the last 16 of the Champions League, with the possibility of more to come.—
Simon Johnson,
New York Times,
4 Feb. 2026
-
But the work is hard to spot from the road and is progressing on schedule for a November opening, the builders say.—
Jeanette Marantos,
Los Angeles Times,
1 Feb. 2026
Verb
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One glaring problem is found in Olde Town Arvada, where connecting from the light rail to departing bus service in a timely manner is impossible.—
DP Opinion,
Denver Post,
10 Feb. 2026
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Under normal procedures, departing astronauts don't leave the space station until a few days after their replacements arrive.—
Eric Lagatta,
USA Today,
10 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
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The Minneapolis police chief says the difference between their policies on dealing with protesters and what federal officers have been doing is immediately clear.—
Andy Rose,
CNN Money,
7 Feb. 2026
-
For Jones, doing his part meant observing, which led to at least four officers jumping on his back, handcuffing him, crushing his legs, and grinding his forehead into the frozen concrete.—
Evan Minsker,
Rolling Stone,
7 Feb. 2026
Verb
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The Canadian team hugged coach Scott Moir after exiting the ice, the legendary Olympian who holds three gold and two silver medals in ice dance for Canada.—
Isabel Yip,
NBC news,
9 Feb. 2026
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Here was RussField exiting a black limo at the Ambassador Hotel, in a gown and tux, photographers clamoring for a shot.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
8 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Small armies of residents still gather to observe federal officers from cars or on foot – honking horns and blowing whistles to alert neighbors.—
Ray Sanchez,
CNN Money,
8 Feb. 2026
-
After blowing a 22-point lead in Friday’s loss to the Celtics in Boston, the Heat closed its quick two-game trip at 1-1.—
Anthony Chiang,
Miami Herald,
8 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Michael Hicks weighs in on how a copy‑paste bill has lawmakers going after degrees Indiana doesn’t even offer in his latest op-ed.—
Kurtcia Collazo,
IndyStar,
9 Feb. 2026
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At one point, NBC’s color commentator Cris Collinsworth openly wondered how many yards Walker had picked up after going backward.—
Kyle Feldscher,
CNN Money,
9 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Going off.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/going%20off. Accessed 13 Feb. 2026.
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