as in to kill time
to spend time doing nothing
returned home unannounced and found the au pair goofing off
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Recent Examples of Synonyms for goof (off)
Noun
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Nicely played by Keanu Reeves, the character is the embodiment of every slacker screwup who’s going to just stumble through life, knocking over everything and everyone in his path.—
Tim Grierson,
Vulture,
18 Oct. 2025 -
In The Big Lebowski, thugs mistake the titular slacker (Bridges) for the wealthy Jeffrey Lebowski, sending him on a wild investigation with his pal Walter (John Goodman) into a ransom plot involving Lebowski’s young wife (Tara Reid).—
Glenn Garner,
Deadline,
8 Oct. 2025
Noun
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As a chef’s kiss, Manning plays for Texas, a yearslong egocentric underachiever that plenty of college football fans love to hate.—
Blake Toppmeyer,
USA TODAY,
9 Oct. 2025
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Trigg was labeled as an underachiever by scouts as an underclassman and is still proving himself in several areas (on and off the field), but his talent is undeniable and improved consistency in 2025 will help suppress any concerns.—
Dane Brugler,
New York Times,
7 Oct. 2025
Verb
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This is something Kang was championing — badass characters who also veg out on the couch without makeup on.—
Nicole Fell,
HollywoodReporter,
6 Aug. 2025
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And while humans tend to veg out on the couch, canines typically only watch for short periods.—
Liz O'Connell,
MSNBC Newsweek,
9 May 2025
Verb
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Over a bite to eat, everybody kicked back and chatted it up a little.—
Jay Glennie,
Rolling Stone,
28 Oct. 2025
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Expect appearances from local brewers, live music, games and food – plus lots of funnily dressed dogs kicking back after their big show.—
John Metcalfe,
Mercury News,
24 Oct. 2025
Verb
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People looking to indulge in the lap of luxury for the day can lounge at hotel pools without a stay and now, day passes for hotel spas are becoming more common.—
Michael Salerno,
AZCentral.com,
3 Nov. 2025
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The penthouse’s terraces, designed in collaboration with Gunn Landscape Architecture, offer distinct spaces for lounging and dining with a fully outfitted outdoor kitchen.—
Abby Montanez,
Robb Report,
31 Oct. 2025
Verb
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In 2019, city employees began hanging about 500 trick-or-treat pumpkin buckets in the trees on Main Street every October.—
Elliott Harrell,
Travel + Leisure,
18 Oct. 2025
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Orion Nebula Those viewing from a dark sky location may also notice a blurry patch of light hanging about 5 degrees below Orion's belt.—
Anthony Wood,
Space.com,
14 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Coverage decisions ultimately rest not with the White House, but with the states.—
Nicholas Florko,
The Atlantic,
7 Nov. 2025
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In the video, the mako shark bursts from the water and lands on the bow of the boat, flopping around before coming to rest near the front of the vessel.—
Landon Mion,
FOXNews.com,
6 Nov. 2025
Verb
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Get our daily newsletter Yet Mr Schwarzman avoids footling with life’s foot-soldiers for a reason.—
The Economist,
The Economist,
19 Sep. 2019
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Cite this Entry
“Goof (off).” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/goof%20%28off%29. Accessed 7 Nov. 2025.
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