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
Kieran Culkin going off script to call out Sean Penn’s no-show — great gear.
—
Jake Kanter, Deadline, 18 Mar. 2026
The same alarm that fired when Alex noticed he wasn’t included in lunch plans at work is now going off in a room full of strangers.
—Big Think, 18 Mar. 2026
Prosecutors also played several minutes of surveillance video from the facility, showing fireworks going off along the tree line next to the building.
—Kelsy Mittauer, CBS News, 3 Mar. 2026
Republicans see these losses as alarms going off.
—Will Gottsegen, The Atlantic, 24 Feb. 2026
Where Dunk’s head is at, going off alone again.
—Tracy Brown, Los Angeles Times, 23 Feb. 2026
Others, however, took issue with Kimmel’s comments immediately following Kirk’s assassination, and welcomed his show going off the air.
—Dan Heching, CNN Money, 18 Feb. 2026
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
Jake Kanter, Deadline, 18 Mar. 2026
The same alarm that fired when Alex noticed he wasn’t included in lunch plans at work is now going off in a room full of strangers.
—Big Think, 18 Mar. 2026
Prosecutors also played several minutes of surveillance video from the facility, showing fireworks going off along the tree line next to the building.
—Kelsy Mittauer, CBS News, 3 Mar. 2026
Republicans see these losses as alarms going off.
—Will Gottsegen, The Atlantic, 24 Feb. 2026
Where Dunk’s head is at, going off alone again.
—Tracy Brown, Los Angeles Times, 23 Feb. 2026
Others, however, took issue with Kimmel’s comments immediately following Kirk’s assassination, and welcomed his show going off the air.
—Dan Heching, CNN Money, 18 Feb. 2026
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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for going off
Verb
-
The clash between Italy’s right-wing leaders and magistrates has punctuated Italian politics, exploding during the governments of late conservative leader Silvio Berlusconi, who was one of the staunchest supporters of the judicial reform.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
22 Mar. 2026
-
Led by 50-something Nathan Fillion, The Rookie has become an unlikely viral hit, with its popularity among teens exploding.—
Nellie Andreeva,
Deadline,
21 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
And yes, despite his agent saying Crosby is progressing in his rehab from knee surgery, his long-term health is a question mark.—
Dallas Morning News,
Dallas Morning News,
17 Mar. 2026
-
The Kings said Murray is progressing in his recovery after missing the past seven games with a left ankle sprain, but he has not been cleared to return.—
Jason Anderson,
Sacbee.com,
14 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
In weather considered highly unusual for this time of year, and rare at any time for this part of the country, the usual tug-of-war between departing winter and incoming spring was more marked than usual, NWS meteorologist Joe Pollina told the Daily News.—
Theresa Braine,
New York Daily News,
16 Mar. 2026
-
In Newsom’s January budget proposal, which estimated a $3-billion deficit, the governor recommended providing $91 million in ongoing funding to the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation to help the prison system pay departing employees for their unused time off.—
Melody Gutierrez,
Los Angeles Times,
16 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
No, a restaurant where conviviality flows like a broken water main, and the food is rich, comforting and detonating with flavor.—
Scott Hocker,
TheWeek,
16 Mar. 2026
-
Some mines are programmed to ignore the first ship that passes, detonating only on the fifth, just so that the mine-clearing team goes through safely and the tanker behind it takes the hit.—
Eva Roytburg,
Fortune,
13 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
In the midst of a statistically impressive season, LaMelo Ball is doing it all for the Charlotte Hornets.—
Roderick Boone,
Charlotte Observer,
22 Mar. 2026
-
With its stunning natural surroundings, Lake Como is an idyllic destination to explore with a dog, and the Edition makes doing so in style entirely possible.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
21 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
In photos from their viral outing, Brooks, Mary Holland, Grace Ann and Sarah Jane were seen exiting a gray van before strutting down the sidewalks of the Big Apple, earning double takes from passersby.—
Ashley Hume,
FOXNews.com,
16 Mar. 2026
-
When officers arrived, a suspect was exiting the home with his hands up and was taken into custody.—
Todd Feurer,
CBS News,
16 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Oklahoma State survived blowing most of their leads of 18 and 14 points to beat Princeton 82-68 on Saturday, giving Jacie Hoyt her first March Madness win in her fourth season as coach.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
22 Mar. 2026
-
The fan base panicked last season when the Dodgers lost 13 of 18 in July and then seven of eight in late August and early September, when their relievers kept blowing leads and blowing games.—
Jim Alexander,
Oc Register,
21 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
With nothing going right, the Gators rallied.—
Edgar Thompson,
The Orlando Sentinel,
23 Mar. 2026
-
Yet even before this interruption, the battle with jihadists was not going well.—
Obi Anyadike,
semafor.com,
23 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Going off.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/going%20off. Accessed 23 Mar. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
