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
Reba later got married but still kept in touch with Horner off and on.
—
Amy McDaniel, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 27 Apr. 2026
Gubicza fought back tears both off and on the air Friday when talking about the longtime Angels outfielder, who died at 53 on Thursday.
—Doug Padilla, Oc Register, 18 Apr. 2026
Over the last 20 or so years he has been estranged off and on from various family members, including our parents (now deceased), his children and me.
—R. Eric Thomas, Denver Post, 14 Apr. 2026
Continuing his comeback from brain surgery in September 2023, Woodland experienced no problems with PTSD, a frightening condition that has tormented him off and on the past several months.
—Gary Bedore, Kansas City Star, 13 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for off and on
Amy McDaniel, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 27 Apr. 2026
Gubicza fought back tears both off and on the air Friday when talking about the longtime Angels outfielder, who died at 53 on Thursday.
—Doug Padilla, Oc Register, 18 Apr. 2026
Over the last 20 or so years he has been estranged off and on from various family members, including our parents (now deceased), his children and me.
—R. Eric Thomas, Denver Post, 14 Apr. 2026
Continuing his comeback from brain surgery in September 2023, Woodland experienced no problems with PTSD, a frightening condition that has tormented him off and on the past several months.
—Gary Bedore, Kansas City Star, 13 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for off and on
Recent Examples of Synonyms for off and on
Adverb
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Grown as a shrub or small tree, the tea olive blooms in spring, summer, and sporadically throughout the year.—
Melissa Locker,
Southern Living,
1 May 2026
-
Look for repeat-blooming cultivars that bloom with gusto in spring and then continue blooming sporadically into fall.—
Megan Hughes,
Better Homes & Gardens,
30 Apr. 2026
Adverb
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Traffic will be paused intermittently along FM 1709 between Randol Mill/Davis Boulevard and Peytonville.—
Fousia Abdullahi,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
9 May 2026
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During the nearly two decades since that meeting with carpet executives in 2008, Georgia regulators intermittently tested the waters south of Dalton, confirming time and again the extensive contamination.—
DYLAN JACKSON,
ABC News,
6 May 2026
Adverb
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Ouija boards were enshrined in glass cases throughout the room; periodically, a small silver bell tolled without warning, moving as though on its own.—
Alex Barasch,
New Yorker,
11 May 2026
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The idea of including the Stars has periodically been floated at the state Capitol over the past couple of years, aligned with the Democrats’ theme of bringing equity to any stadium-building conversation.—
Jeremy Gorner,
Chicago Tribune,
11 May 2026
Adverb
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Beds are plush, and rooms are well insulated from outside noise, which matters in a city that rarely quiets down.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
12 May 2026
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No, but talent of Giannis Antetokounmpo’s pedigree comes to market (if that truly is the case) so rarely, that such a possibility has to be prioritized.—
Ira Winderman,
Sun Sentinel,
12 May 2026
Adverb
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However, voles may be spotted occasionally, while moles, which spend most of their lives underground, are seldom seen.—
Arricca Elin SanSone,
Southern Living,
6 May 2026
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Most damningly, that catastrophe comes out as a fiery blaze that’s routinely overwhelming but seldom compelling, resulting in a tedious experience that might be better live-streamed on UFC.—
Alison Foreman,
IndieWire,
6 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Off and on.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/off%20and%20on. Accessed 12 May. 2026.
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