1
as in departing
to leave a place often for another
I can only stay for a few minutes, and then I'll need to take off again
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in removing
to rid oneself of (a garment)
take off your coat and stay awhile
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in subtracting
to take away (an amount or number) from a total
the store will take an additional 20% off if you bring in this coupon
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
4
as in robbing
slang
to remove valuables from (a place) unlawfully
a gangbanger who decided to take off some fast-food joint
Synonyms & Similar Words
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of taking off
The New Glenn’s first test flight occurred on January 16, 2025, taking off from Complex 36 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida.
—
Encyclopedia Britannica, 2 May 2026
As many Americans plan their summer vacations, airfares are taking off.
—Mary Cunningham, CBS News, 24 Apr. 2026
With runners at the corners with no outs in the sixth, A's first baseman Nick Kurtz fielded Jared Young’s grounder and threw to third to nab Francisco Lindor, who broke back to the bag after taking off for home.
—ABC News, 10 Apr. 2026
Aurigny also says demand has soured in recent months, falling by 13 percent for flights taking off in May.
—Nicole Hoey, Robb Report, 4 Apr. 2026
Those who fly the small, lightweight aircraft of different stripes were restricted for nearly four years from accessing the airport by ground and taking off in their ultralights.
—Jake Goodrick, Sacbee.com, 4 Apr. 2026
Alex Tafoya was a much easier interview, even taking off his Ghost Rider flaming skull headpiece to talk.
—Peter Larsen, Oc Register, 28 Mar. 2026
As Kasevich rolled into second base with his first double on Friday, the infielder unveiled a calm smile while taking off his batting gloves.
—Mitch Bannon, New York Times, 21 Mar. 2026
Later in the video, Joseph put his socks back on after taking off his shoes and socks, so an officer could check his feet.
—Janelle Ash, FOXNews.com, 20 Mar. 2026
Encyclopedia Britannica, 2 May 2026
As many Americans plan their summer vacations, airfares are taking off.
—Mary Cunningham, CBS News, 24 Apr. 2026
With runners at the corners with no outs in the sixth, A's first baseman Nick Kurtz fielded Jared Young’s grounder and threw to third to nab Francisco Lindor, who broke back to the bag after taking off for home.
—ABC News, 10 Apr. 2026
Aurigny also says demand has soured in recent months, falling by 13 percent for flights taking off in May.
—Nicole Hoey, Robb Report, 4 Apr. 2026
Those who fly the small, lightweight aircraft of different stripes were restricted for nearly four years from accessing the airport by ground and taking off in their ultralights.
—Jake Goodrick, Sacbee.com, 4 Apr. 2026
Alex Tafoya was a much easier interview, even taking off his Ghost Rider flaming skull headpiece to talk.
—Peter Larsen, Oc Register, 28 Mar. 2026
As Kasevich rolled into second base with his first double on Friday, the infielder unveiled a calm smile while taking off his batting gloves.
—Mitch Bannon, New York Times, 21 Mar. 2026
Later in the video, Joseph put his socks back on after taking off his shoes and socks, so an officer could check his feet.
—Janelle Ash, FOXNews.com, 20 Mar. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for taking off
Verb
-
The cruise ship, now bound for the Port of Rotterdam, had been docked at the industrial port of Granadilla in the Spanish island off West Africa before departing.—
Natalie Neysa Alund,
USA Today,
12 May 2026
-
Frontier Flight 4345, an Airbus A321, was departing Denver en route to Los Angeles on Friday and carried 224 passengers and seven crew members, the airline said in a statement at the time.—
Alexandra Skores,
CNN Money,
12 May 2026
Verb
-
Allow these to regrow and form new plants after removing all the dead.—
Tom MacCubbin,
The Orlando Sentinel,
10 May 2026
-
On Saturday, that included removing Jake LaRavia from the rotation entirely as rookie forward Adou Thiero became the Lakers’ third player off the bench and veteran big man Maxi Kleber moved into the rotation as the ninth option.—
Benjamin Royer,
Oc Register,
10 May 2026
Verb
-
Briere said the Flyers' rebuild was entering its next phase, shifting from subtracting players to adding them.—
Tom Dougherty,
CBS News,
14 Apr. 2026
-
The Bureau of Labor Statistics also revised data, adding an additional 34,000 jobs to January, showing a growth of 160,000, but subtracting 41,000 from February, showing a loss of 133,000.—
Ted Johnson,
Deadline,
3 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Two men charged with stealing about $667,000 of Louis Vuitton merchandise from the back of delivery trucks — robbing the drivers at gunpoint — pleaded not guilty in San Diego Superior Court on Wednesday, prosecutors said.—
Caleb Lunetta,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
8 May 2026
-
Benge made another one of those catches in center field Monday, helping out right-hander Austin Warren by robbing Tyler Freeman of extra bases.—
Abbey Mastracco,
New York Daily News,
5 May 2026
Verb
-
Stein suggests replacing towels, shower curtains, shower liners, and bath mats before exiting the room.—
Daley Quinn,
Southern Living,
11 May 2026
-
His bull case is that humans are not exiting the security equation anytime soon.—
Lily Mae Lazarus,
Fortune,
11 May 2026
Verb
-
What will the license plates fund After deducting administrative fees, proceeds from the Disney plates would go toward services provided by hospitals and clinics that are not covered by insurance or a patient.—
Karen Garcia,
Los Angeles Times,
6 May 2026
-
The remaining settlement fund after deducting those costs and expenses will then be split among recipients based on their individual amounts, according to the settlement website.—
Melina Khan,
USA Today,
3 May 2026
Verb
-
Adjust the pace, keep moving, and follow what feels expansive.—
Tarot.com,
Hartford Courant,
9 May 2026
-
The company evaluates Prime Day timing annually and felt that moving the event earlier in the summer was the best fit for customers this year, an Amazon spokesperson told CNBC Select.—
Ryley Amond,
CNBC,
8 May 2026
Verb
-
Damon Wayans’ Message to Other Diabetes Patients Wayans wants people who suspect something is off to stop putting off the appointment.—
Samantha Agate,
Miami Herald,
1 May 2026
-
Correcting a deficiency is one of the most accessible interventions in everyday health and now there’s a compelling new reason to stop putting off that conversation.—
Allison Palmer,
Kansas City Star,
30 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Taking off.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/taking%20off. Accessed 13 May. 2026.
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