on and off 1 of 2

adverb

Definition of on and offnext
as in off and on
not constantly or steadily over a period of time It's been raining on and off all afternoon.

Related Words

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Dissimilar Words

on-and-off

2 of 2

adjective

as in recurrent
occurring or appearing at intervals an on-and-off friendship over the years

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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 on and off
Adjective
Johnson had an on-and-off relationship with Chris Martin from October 2017 to June 2025. — Daniela Avila, PEOPLE, 31 July 2026 Since the 1920s, populations have shown signs of decline on-and-off. — Los Angeles Times, 14 July 2026 Styles and Swift dated on-and-off until 2013, when their breakup inspired several songs on Swift’s 1989. — Kathleen Perricone, Entertainment Weekly, 8 July 2026 An economist at advisory firm Oxford Economics said the ceasefire probably would continue to be on-and-off and Washington and Tehran could still deescalate the latest tensions instead of returning to war. — ABC News, 8 July 2026 Despite the on-and-off rain and the muggy weather, the mood in the city was jovial. — Karissa Waddick, USA Today, 4 July 2026 What’s more, the sneakers are machine washable for easy cleaning and have a pull tab for effortless on-and-off. — Destinee Scott, Travel + Leisure, 3 July 2026 Officials said Friday that a group of 50 volunteers had joined the effort to look for Kinney along the banks of the lake, adding that on-and-off rain hindered the search, according to WSAZ. — James Cirrone, FOXNews.com, 27 June 2026 An on-and-off again rivalry during the primary The two men shared a similar message during the primary, slamming Democrats for mismanaging the state and calling for tax cuts and regulatory rollbacks. — Ben Paviour, Sacbee.com, 26 June 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for on and off
  1. off and on
  2. recurrent
  3. sporadically
  4. recurring
  5. intermittently
  6. periodic
  7. periodically
  8. intermittent
Adverb
  • 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
Definition of off and on
Adjective
  • Jain responded that most of their clients either currently have BV or have dealt with recurrent infections in the past.
    — Sarah DiGregorio, Vanity Fair, 27 July 2026
  • Aiyuk began veering away from the team’s rehabilitation protocol soon after the surgery, failing to communicate with the team — a recurrent theme between Aiyuk and the 49ers — and preferring to rehabilitate on his own.
    — Matt Barrows, New York Times, 27 July 2026
Definition of recurrent
Adverb
  • Using a mask sporadically won’t deliver lasting results—think of it like a mini spa treatment for your hair rather than a one-off miracle fix.
    — Anya Meyerowitz, Glamour, 2 Aug. 2026
  • An elusive species that previously has only been seen sporadically in Idaho appears to have taken up permanent residence in the Gem State, according to a recent study led by University of Idaho researchers.
    — Nicole Blanchard, Idaho Statesman, 29 July 2026
Definition of sporadically
Adjective
  • The Bell Street Bridge encampment was prioritized for closure as part of Downtown Rising – the first phase of Atlanta Rising, a multi-year campaign launched in 2025 to end unsheltered homelessness citywide and make homelessness rare, brief and non-recurring.
    — Emily McLeod, CBS News, 7 Mar. 2026
  • This was and is a non-recurring, cyclical business totally dependent on transaction volumes, which fluctuate with economic cycles and interest rates.
    — Josh Brown,Sean Russo, CNBC, 15 Jan. 2026
Definition of recurring
Adverb
  • For the past few months, Iran has intermittently fought a war with the United States, Israel, and its Arab neighbors.
    — Arash Azizi, The Atlantic, 30 July 2026
  • Form a mini book club together, stopping intermittently to pulse check your feelings about the same book.
    — Clare Mulroy, USA Today, 22 July 2026
Definition of intermittently
Adjective
  • The first uses satellite imaging integrated with geographic information systems to replace periodic inspections with continuous environmental monitoring.
    — Gamuda Contributor, Forbes.com, 4 Aug. 2026
  • The lightweight feet are made from triply periodic minimal surface (TPMS) structures that absorb and release impact energy, reducing the workload on the robot’s motors.
    — Jijo Malayil, Interesting Engineering, 3 Aug. 2026
Definition of periodic
Adverb
  • Edges in a 3-4 are built on ripping around the edge for sacks, but also asked to periodically fall off and cover in space.
    — Paul Dehner Jr, New York Times, 1 Aug. 2026
  • The combination cargo and cruise ship Aranui V is a frequent visitor on its sailings from Tahiti, while the luxurious Paul Gauguin also periodically visits from Tahiti.
    — Scott Laird, Travel + Leisure, 31 July 2026
Definition of periodically
Adjective
  • The Chiefs worked out in light intermittent rain but cooler temperatures on Thursday at Missouri Western State University, site of training camp ahead of the NFL’s 2026 season.
    — Emily Curiel, Kansas City Star, 30 July 2026
  • Like most diet regimens, there are a few people whom the risks of intermittent fasting may outweigh the potential benefits.
    — Jennifer Lefton, Verywell Health, 28 July 2026
Definition of intermittent

Browse Nearby Words

on all hands
on and off
on-and-off
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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 7 Aug. 2026.

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