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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Tech companies sporadically work with local police to track and deplatform harmful accounts, law enforcement sources say.—
Avery Schmitz,
CNN Money,
29 Sep. 2025
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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
Adverb
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With green shoots that have pink bases, purple flowers appear in early spring and intermittently the rest of the season.—
Arricca Elin SanSone,
Southern Living,
30 Sep. 2025
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Showers and thunderstorms will continue intermittently through the evening.—
Shannon Tyler,
Idaho Statesman,
30 Sep. 2025
Adverb
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But one witness who testified on behalf of Rocha’s defense, Emily Ridout, who lived in the home where his mother was staying, said Rocha and his mother lived in the same room for six months as Rocha worked at the burger joint Five Guys, periodically bringing food home.—
PJ Green
September 30,
Kansas City Star,
30 Sep. 2025
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Neighbors have repeatedly complained about the tear gas periodically being deployed against protesters.—
Andy Rose,
CNN Money,
30 Sep. 2025
Adverb
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The Prince and Princess of Wales rarely share public displays of affection, making Porteous' cozy close-up a standout photo moment.—
Janine Henni,
PEOPLE,
1 Oct. 2025
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As Saturday Night Live celebrated its 50th anniversary earlier this year, the discussion about the show’s legacy rarely focused on its comedy.—
David Sims,
The Atlantic,
1 Oct. 2025
Adverb
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The different seat and the different beer worked as Spencer Bivens, seldom used in high-leverage situations, doused the flames.—
Justice delos Santos,
Mercury News,
27 Sep. 2025
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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
Cite this Entry
“Off and on.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/off%20and%20on. Accessed 8 Oct. 2025.
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