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
Having covered civil rights debates off and on for about a half-century, I am reminded of perhaps the most famous reverse discrimination case: Regents of the University of California v. Bakke, the 1978 landmark Supreme Court case that challenged the use of racial quotas in college admissions.
—
Clarence Page, Chicago Tribune, 2 Mar. 2025
The popular programming block has been used many times off and on over the years since its initial beginnings in 1989.
—Lauren Huff, EW.com, 19 Feb. 2025
But Trish would continue to mention it, off and on, in the years ahead.
—Tim Botos, USA TODAY, 18 Feb. 2025
These two men clashed off and on over decades of friendship and collaboration interrupted by icy public feuds, largely rooted in fights about Michael’s unrepentant drug use.
—Shana Naomi Krochmal, Vulture, 4 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for off and on
Clarence Page, Chicago Tribune, 2 Mar. 2025
The popular programming block has been used many times off and on over the years since its initial beginnings in 1989.
—Lauren Huff, EW.com, 19 Feb. 2025
But Trish would continue to mention it, off and on, in the years ahead.
—Tim Botos, USA TODAY, 18 Feb. 2025
These two men clashed off and on over decades of friendship and collaboration interrupted by icy public feuds, largely rooted in fights about Michael’s unrepentant drug use.
—Shana Naomi Krochmal, Vulture, 4 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for off and on
Recent Examples of Synonyms for off and on
Adverb
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The cemetery was only sporadically maintained by its caretaker, and raking the long grass gave me the eerie feeling of running my fingers through a child’s hair.—
Hazlitt,
Hazlitt,
2 Apr. 2025
-
Formal training sessions occur sporadically, take time away from work and primarily focus on explicit knowledge rather than the practical experience that drives sound decision-making.—
Rajesh Rajagopalan,
Forbes.com,
27 Mar. 2025
Adverb
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The groups hold meetings periodically and can potentially secure grant funding to accelerate prevention efforts such as ignition zone assessments and installing fire-resistant vents.—
Noah Lyons,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
16 May 2025
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PCMag will be there to keep you informed on all the Microsoft Build 2025 happenings, so be sure to check out our Build event page periodically.—
Michael Muchmore,
PC Magazine,
15 May 2025
Adverb
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The result is partial solutions that rarely hold under pressure.—
Wyles Daniel,
USA Today,
17 May 2025
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With the onset of the warmer season, one fruiting shrub that is often sought yet rarely achieved successfully in the Kansas City area may once again be finding its way onto the wish list of prospective gardeners.—
Anthony Reardon,
Kansas City Star,
16 May 2025
Adverb
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The pitch flopped down and away as Soto flailed at it, tentatively; the great ones seldom swing so awkwardly.—
Tyler Kepner,
New York Times,
11 May 2025
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This variability stems largely from under-recognition—most clinicians seldom consider PoTS during evaluation, according to Spiritos.—
Jasmine Laws,
MSNBC Newsweek,
11 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Off and on.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/off%20and%20on. Accessed 24 May. 2025.
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