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.

Related Words

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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 The geese had been there off and on for days. — Ian Frazier, New Yorker, 15 June 2026 Between and among cover projects such as Holy Ghost Building and Gimme a Kickstart, Michael Roe, Mark Harmon, and Bruce Spencer worked on it off and on for 13 years. — Spin Staff, SPIN, 1 June 2026 Injuries limited him to 36 games last season and various ailments have dogged him off and on the past few years. — Greg Cote may 25, Miami Herald, 25 May 2026 If your Fingerling is not responding, try turning your pet off and on. — Bestreviews, Mercury News, 15 May 2026 See All Example Sentences for off and on

Recent Examples of Synonyms for off and on

Adverb

But Torrence continues to gig with his group the Surf City All-Stars, but only sporadically.

— Andy Greene, Rolling Stone, 19 July 2026
Since air moisture levels are high everywhere, precipitation can gather and fall sporadically across the region.

— Hali Smith, Idaho Statesman, 14 July 2026

Definition of sporadically

Adverb

Munda, 19, has intermittently trained with the seniors over the past couple of seasons and the energetic midfielder is primed for a loan move in the new season.

— Chris Waugh, New York Times, 17 July 2026
Since renewable energy sources like the sun and the wind cannot be operated on demand and produce energy intermittently, the energy generated needs to be stored till required by the grid.

— Ameya Paleja, Interesting Engineering, 17 July 2026

Definition of intermittently

Adverb

Apple held the top spot for market capitalization for much of the previous decade, surpassing Exxon in 2011, before swapping ranks periodically with Microsoft.

— Ty Roush, Forbes.com, 17 July 2026
One possibility is thermal stresses in the surface ice caused by the slight temperature changes that cause Pluto's volatile materials – among them molecular nitrogen, carbon monoxide and methane – to periodically sublimate and then condense again.

— Keith Cooper, Space.com, 16 July 2026

Definition of periodically

Adverb

Les Bleus had looked unstoppable, while La Roja had been winning but rarely impressing.

— Patrick Sung Cuadrado, CNN Money, 14 July 2026
Researchers conducted the study on 365 adults between the ages of 55 and 80 who rarely ate fish and were considered to be at risk for Alzheimer’s.

— Mira Miller, Verywell Health, 14 July 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 21 Jul. 2026.

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Synonyms of off and on

adverb

Example Sentences

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

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