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
Multiple pieces of software and online tutorials exist for the captioning of YouTube videos in addition to instructions for turning the closed captioning feature in YouTube off and on.
—
Encyclopedia Britannica, 30 Apr. 2026
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
See All Example Sentences for off and on
Encyclopedia Britannica, 30 Apr. 2026
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
See All Example Sentences for off and on
Recent Examples of Synonyms for off and on
Adverb
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Southern magnolias, the glossy evergreen trees common across the South, usually bloom later in spring and continue producing flowers sporadically into summer.—
Jessica Safavimehr,
Southern Living,
13 May 2026
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The hostilities have continued sporadically despite a month-old ceasefire, especially in the strategic Strait of Hormuz.—
Jim Gomez,
Los Angeles Times,
8 May 2026
Adverb
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Iran has participated in the Biennale intermittently since 2003, including the most recent edition in 2024.—
News Desk,
Artforum,
13 May 2026
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Michael served as a writer for Martin's 2012 comedy special I, Martin Short, Goes Home and worked intermittently on his series The Martin Short Show between 1994 and 2000.—
Emily Blackwood,
PEOPLE,
12 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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Nagi, as Fukada imagines it, is empty but filled with voices — voices that are easily heard from every house in the area but seldom backed up by any kind of direct address.—
David Ehrlich,
IndieWire,
13 May 2026
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Peace proposals are usually negotiated behind closed doors; threats are seldom made publicly.—
Sudarsan Raghavan,
New Yorker,
12 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Off and on.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/off%20and%20on. Accessed 19 May. 2026.
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