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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Recent Examples of off and on
The rest of the go-tos before Nick Pivetta joined the stable this year — Yu Darvish, Michael King and Joe Musgrove — have cycled off and on and sometimes back off the active roster so much that the workload of an up-and-down arm is second only to Cease’s over the last two years.
—
Jeff Sanders, San Diego Union-Tribune, 11 Sep. 2025
But its replacement, which happened to be the only spare at the time, worked perfectly for six weeks and then off and on for several more years.
—IEEE Spectrum, 28 Aug. 2025
Ray has been with me for 12 years off and on.
—Demetrius Patterson, HollywoodReporter, 28 Aug. 2025
The simplest toggle between off and on while more advanced seats have an adjustable temperature.
—Bestreviews, Chicago Tribune, 21 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for off and on
Jeff Sanders, San Diego Union-Tribune, 11 Sep. 2025
But its replacement, which happened to be the only spare at the time, worked perfectly for six weeks and then off and on for several more years.
—IEEE Spectrum, 28 Aug. 2025
Ray has been with me for 12 years off and on.
—Demetrius Patterson, HollywoodReporter, 28 Aug. 2025
The simplest toggle between off and on while more advanced seats have an adjustable temperature.
—Bestreviews, Chicago Tribune, 21 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for off and on
Recent Examples of Synonyms for off and on
Adverb
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The Ravens have won six the last eight straight up and are 5-3 against the number in a series that is played sporadically.—
Jack Magruder,
Forbes.com,
20 Sep. 2025
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The importance of understanding lunar surface movement This research shows that the moon is not geologically dead but sporadically active, with multiple processes, including seismic activity, impacts, and thermal stress, causing surface changes.—
Rupendra Brahambhatt,
Interesting Engineering,
14 Sep. 2025
Adverb
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Gorman served as the Black Crowes' drummer intermittently from their founding in 1989 until 2015.—
Madison E. Goldberg,
PEOPLE,
24 Sep. 2025
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In it, the scientists postulated an increased risk of death in people who fasted intermittently.—
Frederik Jötten,
Scientific American,
12 Sep. 2025
Adverb
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Check your items periodically, every few months, for signs of pest activity.—
Nafeesah Allen,
Better Homes & Gardens,
24 Sep. 2025
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His right hand lashes out periodically.—
Matthew Shen Goodman,
Harpers Magazine,
19 Sep. 2025
Adverb
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Costume designer Colleen Atwood — already a four-time Oscar winner — is a likely contender, but musicals rarely land only a supporting acting nomination.—
Clayton Davis,
Variety,
24 Sep. 2025
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Common Pests and Problems Hardy cyclamen planted in ground are rarely bothered by pests.—
Arricca Elin SanSone,
Southern Living,
24 Sep. 2025
Adverb
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Barkov is seldom the team’s leading goal scorer but usually tops in assists, as last season, an apt mirror of his selflessness.—
Miami Herald,
Miami Herald,
26 Sep. 2025
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The times have seldom been more hostile toward political mythmaking as nervy as this, or blockbuster intelligence of this scale.—
Justin Chang,
New Yorker,
26 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Off and on.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/off%20and%20on. Accessed 30 Sep. 2025.
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