as in on and off
not constantly or steadily over a period of time
They've been dating off and on for almost a year.
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of off and on
If your Fingerling is not responding, try turning your pet off and on.
—
Bestreviews, Mercury News, 15 May 2026
To toggle your new pet off and on, type /pet into the composer, then use Wake Pet or Tuck Away Pet in Settings > Appearance.
—Will McCurdy, PC Magazine, 3 May 2026
Dosunmu is out with a right calf injury, an issue that has plagued him off and on for several weeks.
—Jon Krawczynski, New York Times, 1 May 2026
The two friends have been going to the annual meeting off and on for roughly 15 years, leaving their husbands at home for a girls' trip to Omaha.
—Sarah Min,yun Li, CNBC, 1 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for off and on
Bestreviews, Mercury News, 15 May 2026
To toggle your new pet off and on, type /pet into the composer, then use Wake Pet or Tuck Away Pet in Settings > Appearance.
—Will McCurdy, PC Magazine, 3 May 2026
Dosunmu is out with a right calf injury, an issue that has plagued him off and on for several weeks.
—Jon Krawczynski, New York Times, 1 May 2026
The two friends have been going to the annual meeting off and on for roughly 15 years, leaving their husbands at home for a girls' trip to Omaha.
—Sarah Min,yun Li, CNBC, 1 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for off and on
Recent Examples of Synonyms for off and on
Adverb
-
Venus, who has still been competing sporadically, turns 46 on Wednesday.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
16 June 2026
-
Venus, who has been competing sporadically, turns 46 on Wednesday.—
Andrew Dampf,
Chicago Tribune,
16 June 2026
Adverb
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Rosana Rodriguez, 33rd, whose office is in contact with Martinez-Sifontes’ family, said Albany Park has recently seen fewer ICE encounters than during earlier phases of Operation Midway Blitz, but said enforcement activity still surfaces intermittently.—
Laura Rodríguez Presa,
Chicago Tribune,
19 June 2026
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They are only intermittently given distinguishing characteristics or classifications.—
Hannah Gold,
New Yorker,
17 June 2026
Adverb
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Leave earbuds at home and make noise periodically so bears can avoid you.—
Jennifer McRae,
CBS News,
22 June 2026
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The survey will also point it at our own galaxy periodically to monitor hundreds of millions of stars.—
Richard Tribou,
The Orlando Sentinel,
22 June 2026
Adverb
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Those misses rarely occurred in season two, but three episodes into this season, the bat is flying wildly around the stadium, bonking people in the head in a freak mass-casualty bat-event.—
Rebecca Alter,
Vulture,
22 June 2026
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My olive tone complexion tans easily and rarely burns.—
Conçetta Ciarlo,
Vogue,
22 June 2026
Adverb
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The multistory set is grander and taller than TheaterWorks Hartford’s small stage could accommodate, while Ruggiero sends the cast offstage and deep into the auditorium — something Hartford Stage has certainly done but seldom to this immersive effect.—
Christopher Arnott,
Hartford Courant,
16 June 2026
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Lurie and Roseman are strong figures with impressive track records who seldom receive blame when things go awry.—
Michael Silver,
New York Times,
16 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Off and on.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/off%20and%20on. Accessed 23 Jun. 2026.
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