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
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
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
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
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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for going off
Verb
-
The overlapping relationships between the three, heightened by external narratives in the press and online, fester in isolation, eventually exploding into tragedy.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
6 Jan. 2026
-
Yoo thinks the company lost momentum after the 2016 Galaxy Note 7 crisis, when exploding batteries forced a massive recall.—
Nicholas Gordon,
Fortune,
6 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Key Takeaways The rate of progression of immunoglobulin A nephropathy (IgAN) can vary, with many people remaining stable for decades and others progressing rapidly to kidney failure.—
MD Published,
Verywell Health,
12 Jan. 2026
-
Work was progressing as expected until the TBM catastrophically failed.—
Christopher McFadden,
Interesting Engineering,
11 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Warren joins former Boise State wide receivers coach Matt Miller and safeties coach Tyler Stockton in departing the program in recent days.—
Shaun Goodwin,
Idaho Statesman,
8 Jan. 2026
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Tourists seeking to visit the Statue of Liberty were defrauded daily by unscrupulous ticket-hawkers pitching water tours departing miles away that charge high prices and can’t land on Liberty Island.—
Voice of the People,
New York Daily News,
7 Jan. 2026
Verb
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In a post on Telegram, Kiper said a two-story residential building was damaged and that a drone hit an apartment on the 17th floor of a high-rise building without detonating.—
Illia Novikov,
Los Angeles Times,
1 Jan. 2026
-
Jayme Thornton Crossfire’s approach of detonating water balloons in midair—which has yet to be patented so the team would not describe it in detail—could eventually change the calculation about how much suppressant is needed to fight fires.—
IEEE Spectrum,
IEEE Spectrum,
24 Dec. 2025
Verb
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Upon doing some research for more formal choices to match the nickname, the mom came across Margaret, which had a connection to her husband's grandmother.—
Kayla Grant,
PEOPLE,
12 Jan. 2026
-
No New Yorker should have to fear losing access to health care -- and no nurse should be asked to accept less pay, fewer benefits or less dignity for doing lifesaving work.—
Noelle Lilley,
CBS News,
12 Jan. 2026
Verb
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While police approached, O’Neil was seen exiting the sporting goods store.—
Gayla Cawley,
Boston Herald,
8 Jan. 2026
-
Comply with exiting the vehicle if ordered, but do not argue; dispute violations later in court.—
DP Opinion,
Denver Post,
8 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Federal officers fired tear gas Monday to break up a crowd of whistle-blowing bystanders in Minneapolis who showed up to see the aftermath of a car crash involving immigration agents, just a few blocks from where Good was fatally shot.—
WCCO Staff,
CBS News,
13 Jan. 2026
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San Francisco trailed 17-16 at halftime after blowing an early lead, but took over in the second half to cruise to a 41-23 win.—
Michael Nowels,
Mercury News,
12 Jan. 2026
Verb
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San Jose was seventh in MLS with 60 goals scored while going 11-15-8 last season.—
Mercury News,
Mercury News,
14 Jan. 2026
-
But most of its richest pleasures come down to Fiennes going balls to the wall with a truly memorable character — half lunatic and half visionary.—
David Rooney,
HollywoodReporter,
13 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Going off.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/going%20off. Accessed 20 Jan. 2026.
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