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

This time, Miles Teller plays the father, an out-of-work engineer who is convinced by his ex-cop brother (Adam Driver) to go into business with a group of Russian importers working out of Gowanus.

— Bilge Ebiri, Vulture, 21 Sep. 2026
Then, two plays later Baugh burst through the line and outran everybody for a 33-yard TD and 27-17 lead.

— Mike Bianchi, The Orlando Sentinel, 20 Sep. 2026

Definition of plays

Verb

With her severe bob and icy demeanor, Miranda chills her underlings to the bone.

— Jami Ganz, Entertainment Weekly, 12 Sep. 2026
The use of rap lyrics as evidence in criminal trials is controversial, with critics saying the practice chills creative expression and allows prosecutors to distort hyperbolic art in ways that reinforce racist stereotypes.

— Nancy Dillon, Rolling Stone, 24 Aug. 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 Sep. 2026.

Copy Citation

Synonyms of goofs (off)

verb

Example Sentences

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

confabulate

Popular in Grammar & Usage

Do You Need a New Language Peeve?

More Commonly Mispronounced Words

Why do we use apostrophes to show possession?

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

'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

Back to School Vocabulary

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

The Words of the Week - Sept. 25

Popular

Do You Need a New Language Peeve?

The Longest Long Words List

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

Games & Quizzes