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
If a plane waits too long before taking off, ice can accumulate again, disrupting airflow and causing problems during the flight.
—
Julianna Duennes Russ, Austin American Statesman, 7 Mar. 2026
The occupants of a commuter plane that crashed into a residential neighborhood shortly after taking off from Phoenix Deer Valley Airport could tell something was wrong with the plane's engine.
—Perry Vandell, AZCentral.com, 6 Mar. 2026
Oden went from starter to never taking off his sweats while freshman Tae Simmons was elevated to the backup power forward.
—Mark Zeigler, San Diego Union-Tribune, 28 Feb. 2026
Kalkbrenner ceded the starting center role to Diabate while recovering from an elbow injury spanning parts of December and January and that’s also when the Hornets’ game-opening unit began taking off and flourishing.
—Roderick Boone, Charlotte Observer, 21 Feb. 2026
The next day, a United jetliner bound for Japan lost a tire while taking off from San Francisco but later landed safely in Los Angeles.
—ABC News, 20 Feb. 2026
As to why the buildout is taking off, Thill said that, given today’s demand for AI data centers, the only concern among tech firms is the risk of not doing enough.
—Jake Angelo, Fortune, 6 Feb. 2026
Mourinho had already made all of his substitutions, including taking off his entire front four, trying to see out a win.
—Nick Miller, New York Times, 31 Jan. 2026
Nedas is taking off at 20 points a game, including a 36-point effort Tuesday against Lincoln-Way Central.
—Jeff Vorva, Chicago Tribune, 24 Jan. 2026
Julianna Duennes Russ, Austin American Statesman, 7 Mar. 2026
The occupants of a commuter plane that crashed into a residential neighborhood shortly after taking off from Phoenix Deer Valley Airport could tell something was wrong with the plane's engine.
—Perry Vandell, AZCentral.com, 6 Mar. 2026
Oden went from starter to never taking off his sweats while freshman Tae Simmons was elevated to the backup power forward.
—Mark Zeigler, San Diego Union-Tribune, 28 Feb. 2026
Kalkbrenner ceded the starting center role to Diabate while recovering from an elbow injury spanning parts of December and January and that’s also when the Hornets’ game-opening unit began taking off and flourishing.
—Roderick Boone, Charlotte Observer, 21 Feb. 2026
The next day, a United jetliner bound for Japan lost a tire while taking off from San Francisco but later landed safely in Los Angeles.
—ABC News, 20 Feb. 2026
As to why the buildout is taking off, Thill said that, given today’s demand for AI data centers, the only concern among tech firms is the risk of not doing enough.
—Jake Angelo, Fortune, 6 Feb. 2026
Mourinho had already made all of his substitutions, including taking off his entire front four, trying to see out a win.
—Nick Miller, New York Times, 31 Jan. 2026
Nedas is taking off at 20 points a game, including a 36-point effort Tuesday against Lincoln-Way Central.
—Jeff Vorva, Chicago Tribune, 24 Jan. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for taking off
Verb
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Chenal joins his fellow departing Chiefs from the 2022 draft class, all of whom were part of the back-to-back Super Bowl championship teams in 2022 and 2023.—
Pete Sweeney,
Kansas City Star,
11 Mar. 2026
-
Lock your home before departing.—
STAR-TELEGRAM WEATHER BOT,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
11 Mar. 2026
Verb
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When removing the 3% annual increase cities and counties were already allowed, the cap amounted to a 5% budget increase from growth.—
Mark Dee
March 6,
Idaho Statesman,
7 Mar. 2026
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There are several organic methods for removing these persistent weeds, and some are more effective than others.—
Alexandra Jones,
The Spruce,
7 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Willis represents a first move of building, not subtracting.—
Dave Hyde,
Sun Sentinel,
9 Mar. 2026
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This chicken is a great recipe to customize to your preferences, adding and subtracting fresh veggies to suit your taste.—
Kimberly Holland,
Southern Living,
5 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Kamaria Nelson, 25, was charged with pandering and robbing the girl, who police say left her group home last year in the company of another teen, two women, and an adult who allegedly coerced her into prostitution.—
Nate Gartrell,
Mercury News,
2 Mar. 2026
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Ramsey was replaced by Joe Willock before the game resumed, robbing Newcastle of arguably their most effective player and reducing options in a midfield already lacking the injured Bruno Guimaraes and Lewis Miley.—
George Caulkin,
New York Times,
28 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Friday, Azueta said students were exiting out the back of the studio, where they are often picked up by parents.—
Victor Jacobo,
CBS News,
8 Mar. 2026
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Even with Reiver Sanmartin exiting the tournament due to injury, the Giants have seven players on their 40-man roster competing in the WBC.—
Justice delos Santos,
Mercury News,
7 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Justice Department prosecutors also accused him of diverting money from his law firm to pay gambling debts and falsely deducting gambling debts as business expenses.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
25 Feb. 2026
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Rather than deducting expenses, the 70% split remaining with the league would be used to cover costs.—
Jacob Feldman,
Sportico.com,
22 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Kiwis moving abroad is not uncommon, and more Kiwis generally are choosing to leave than before; in the year ending November 2025, almost 122,000 people emigrated, a 4% jump from the previous year and higher than a previous spike in 2012.—
Laura Sharman,
CNN Money,
7 Mar. 2026
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Ultimately, what this study’s findings highlight is that planning for a slow-moving, politically contentious issue like sea-level rise, one that doesn’t have the immediacy of a wildfire or an earthquake, is complex and constantly evolving.—
Marcos Magaña,
Los Angeles Times,
7 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Funk and Vater say these tasks are worth putting off until the last threat of freezing temperatures has passed.—
Patricia Shannon,
Southern Living,
4 Mar. 2026
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As the war in Ukraine enters its fourth year, Ukraine’s birth rate is collapsing, with increasing number of people struggling with fertility or putting off the decision to have children.—
Ivana Kottasová,
CNN Money,
22 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Taking off.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/taking%20off. Accessed 11 Mar. 2026.
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