as in off and on
not constantly or steadily over a period of time
It's been raining on and off all afternoon.
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in recurrent
occurring or appearing at intervals
an on-and-off friendship over the years
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Recent Examples of Synonyms for on and off
Adverb
-
Szabo, who has overseen the city’s compliance with the settlement agreement, was questioned off and on during four hearing days.—
David Zahniser,
Los Angeles Times,
4 June 2025 -
Rain is expected on Tuesday with off and on drizzle before 11 a.m.—
Kendrick Calfee,
Kansas City Star,
27 May 2025
Adjective
-
The second half of the year begins this week for Billboard Japan’s charts, and recurrent rules have been implemented on the Japan Hot 100 and Hot Albums tallies.—
Billboard Japan,
Billboard,
4 June 2025
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In this study, researchers evaluated how following a structured exercise program might further reduce the risk of recurrent or new cancer compared with just being advised to exercise.—
Tom Gavin,
EverydayHealth.com,
3 June 2025
Adverb
-
Mount Etna has been erupting sporadically for centuries.—
Kenna Hughes-Castleberry,
Space.com,
4 June 2025
-
Colson is technically a one but played that position sporadically in her last three seasons in Las Vegas due to their glut of ballhandlers.—
Sabreena Merchant,
New York Times,
29 May 2025
Adjective
-
Does this bring him into a more recurring, regular role?—
Michael Schneider,
Variety,
9 May 2025
-
Dobson says the research is coming now that the power engineering community increasingly recognizes cascading failures as a distinct and recurring problem—a concept that still elicited protests from power engineers in the aftermath of the 2003 blackout.—
IEEE Spectrum,
IEEE Spectrum,
14 Aug. 2013
Adjective
-
Modern belt drive systems, such as those from Gates, are made of a complex mixture of materials (above) that provide a service life far longer than a chain, operate in near silence, and require little to no maintenance, apart from periodic tension adjustments.—
William Roberson,
Forbes.com,
31 May 2025
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The suit claims the Trump administration’s decision to cut short the duration of immigration and work authorizations for Haitians was done in violation of immigration law and without the proper periodic review that the TPS statute requires.—
Jacqueline Charles,
Miami Herald,
28 May 2025
Adverb
-
Participants laid on their stomach with their head over a bowl of cold water, periodically plunging their face under while the researchers measured how their reflexive submersion responses changed their heart rate and blood pressure.—
Gayoung Lee,
Scientific American,
2 June 2025
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The bats then wake up periodically, causing irregular activity and eventual starvation.—
Lillian Ali,
Smithsonian Magazine,
30 May 2025
Adjective
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Residents lack running water, use 5-gallon buckets as toilets and must contend with intermittent electricity and deteriorating homes that expose them to the region’s fierce weather.—
Emily Schwing,
ProPublica,
29 May 2025
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Holmgren had to take intermittent breaks from the sport because of growing pains.—
Jace Frederick,
Twin Cities,
24 May 2025
Adverb
-
The View From Democrats Democrats on both sides of the Capitol sound eager to work with Republicans to rein in Palantir, which is known for its secrecy and the occasionally bombastic rhetoric of its leadership.—
Eleanor Mueller,
semafor.com,
5 June 2025
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For weeks, Combs, 55, has maintained an attentive and easygoing presence inside a Manhattan federal courtroom — occasionally shaking his head, fidgeting in his seat or passing sticky notes to his attorneys.—
Danielle Bacher,
People.com,
5 June 2025
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Cite this Entry
“On and off.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/on%20and%20off. Accessed 12 Jun. 2025.
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