let off
verb
let off; letting off; lets off
1
: to allow (someone) to get off a bus, an airplane, etc.
Could you let me off (the bus) at the next stop, please?
The bus stopped to let off a few passengers.
2
: to allow (someone who has been caught doing something wrong or illegal) to go without being punished
The police officer let her off with just a warning.
They let him off easy/easily/lightly, if you ask me.
3
: to cause (something) to explode or to be released in a forceful way
let off a firecracker
opened the valve to let off pressure
Examples of let off in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Messi was let off completely, and there is nothing reckless about Balogun’s actions either.
—
Tom Bogert,
New York Times,
2 July 2026
Eriyonna Walcott, a 3rd Class Cadet, beelined to the Ecuadorian ship docked next to the Eagle in Norfolk after she was let off duty one afternoon.
—
Karissa Waddick,
USA Today,
1 July 2026
Others waved American flags and let off firework smoke bombs that painted the air red and blue.
—
Veronica Fernandez-Alvarado,
Sacbee.com,
1 July 2026
Like that dutiful mastiff, this Urus is happiest when let off the leash.
—
Bryan Hood,
Robb Report,
17 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for let off
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.
Tom Bogert,
New York Times,
2 July 2026
Eriyonna Walcott, a 3rd Class Cadet, beelined to the Ecuadorian ship docked next to the Eagle in Norfolk after she was let off duty one afternoon.
—
Karissa Waddick,
USA Today,
1 July 2026
Others waved American flags and let off firework smoke bombs that painted the air red and blue.
—
Veronica Fernandez-Alvarado,
Sacbee.com,
1 July 2026
Like that dutiful mastiff, this Urus is happiest when let off the leash.
—
Bryan Hood,
Robb Report,
17 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for let off
Cite this Entry
“Let off.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/let%20off. Accessed 5 Jul. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
