GOOFS (OFF) Synonyms: 72 Similar and Opposite Words

goofs (off)

verb

present tense third-person singular of goof (off)

as in kills time

to spend time doing nothing returned home unannounced and found the au pair goofing off

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of Synonyms for goofs (off)

Verb

Well … that’s where my skepticism kicks back in.

— Emma Sarappo, The Atlantic, 12 June 2026
With their mandatory minicamp wrapping up on Thursday, the Chicago Bears get some time to rest before offseason programming kicks back into gear.

— Jayna Bardahl, New York Times, 11 June 2026

Definition of kicks back

Verb

Though the sisters are supposedly first-generation Italian American, no whiff of the old country hangs about Kay; Dorothy will at least spit out a few words in Italian.

— Television Critic, Los Angeles Times, 10 Mar. 2026
Turquoise pearl, and azure line the space, and a cylindrical hanging light sculpture made of hundreds of white and gold ceramic fish hangs about the lounge seating area.

— Kristin Braswell, Condé Nast Traveler, 7 Jan. 2026

Definition of hangs about

Verb

The joy Lisa has with her RHUGT cast compared with the dread her RHOSLC cast seems to bring her really bums me out — especially because of how much of this trip is championing the sisterhood of Housewives.

— Tom Smyth, Vulture, 31 Aug. 2026
Critical thinking really bums them out.

— Ed Masley, AZCentral.com, 13 Mar. 2026

Definition of bums

Verb

When the removal cannot be measured directly, the credibility of each credit rests on the model used to calculate it.

— Alec Luhn, Scientific American, 20 Oct. 2026
And 2026’s biggest Halloween nail trend—a spider nail art manicure—rests in the perfect place between the two.

— Margaux Anbouba, Vogue, 20 Oct. 2026

Definition of rests

Verb

The department also argues that threatening officers with prosecution for protecting their identities and their families chills enforcement of federal law and compromises sensitive operations.

— Eric Henderson, CBS News, 16 Oct. 2026
With her severe bob and icy demeanor, Miranda chills her underlings to the bone.

— Jami Ganz, Entertainment Weekly, 12 Sep. 2026

Definition of chills

Verb

As your car idles, warm air blown from the top of your dashboard will melt the ice on the outside of the windshield.

— Meghan Overdeep, Southern Living, 27 Dec. 2025
Security camera footage shows a black vehicle park in front of Café Bernardo, a restaurant, and idles for about two minutes.

— Madisen Keavy, CBS News, 17 Dec. 2025

Definition of idles

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.

Browse Nearby Words

goofs (around)

goofs (off)

goofs on

See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

Style

“Goofs (off).” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/goofs%20%28off%29. Accessed 26 Oct. 2026.

Copy Citation

Synonyms of goofs (off)

verb

Example Sentences

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

disparate

Popular in Grammar & Usage

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

'Can' vs. 'May'

'Affect' vs. 'Effect'

More Commonly Mispronounced Words

'A' or 'an'? What about before 'h'? An Indefinite Article Guide

Popular in Wordplay

The Longest Long Words List

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

12 Lovely and Unusual Words for the Natural World

Why do we 'bury the lede?'

'Za' and 9 Other Words to Help You Win at SCRABBLE

Popular

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

The Longest Long Words List

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

Games & Quizzes