OFF AND ON Synonyms: 41 Similar and Opposite Words

off and on

adverb

Definition of off and on

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

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.

Recent Examples of off and on Robertson Property Group has been conducting renovations in the theater off and on for the past several years, but there is currently no prospective opening date. — Pat Saperstein, Variety, 21 July 2026 After all, this hip has bothered him off and on since the 2021 season. — Dan Hayes, New York Times, 7 July 2026 Pharis continued to get minor rashes, off and on, for the next four years. — Charles Trepany, USA Today, 2 July 2026 Northern Minnesota will see thunderstorms off and on throughout the day. — Mike Augustyniak, CBS News, 26 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for off and on

Recent Examples of Synonyms for off and on

Adverb

Their numbers remained contained until 2023, and local fishermen reported catching them only sporadically.

— ABC News, ABC News, 2 Sep. 2026
According to the complaint, Gilchrist would sporadically pay back his clients, but would come up with excuses such as government shutdowns and even claiming to be hospitalized to delay payments.

— Maven Navarro, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 1 Sep. 2026

Definition of sporadically

Adverb

The result is a collection of novels that, while intermittently electrifying, expend an incredible quantity of words on the semiotics of TV marketing and the ethics of selling out.

— Robert Rubsam, New Yorker, 2 Sep. 2026
The company said Riley was hired in 2008 and worked there intermittently for a total of slightly more than four and a half years.

— Christopher Harris, CBS News, 24 Aug. 2026

Definition of intermittently

Adverb

Around 4% of people infected with Salmonella Typhi – a particularly dangerous type of Salmonella that causes typhoid fever – become asymptomatic carriers who periodically shed the bacteria in their feces up to one year after initial infection.

— Kimberly Baker, The Conversation, 31 Aug. 2026
On the supervision track, CFPB employees would periodically visit banks and other financial institutions to monitor their business practices and ensure compliance with the law.

— Andy Kroll, ProPublica, 31 Aug. 2026

Definition of periodically

Adverb

Kingsbury’s offense rarely moved receivers around or put skill position players in motion; Blough’s will do both on a high percentage of snaps.

— Barry Svrluga, New York Times, 9 Sep. 2026
Under the original agreement, the government would only receive three million shares if Tesla failed — a counterintuitive arrangement, since public stakes in struggling companies rarely benefit taxpayers.

— Mariana Mazzucato, Fortune, 8 Sep. 2026

Definition of rarely

Browse Nearby Words

offal

off and on

off base

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“Off and on.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/off%20and%20on. Accessed 11 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of off and on

adverb

Example Sentences

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