: existing briefly and in an intermittent unpredictable way
on-again, off-again fads

Examples of on-again, off-again in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
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.
Based on the book by Carola Lovering, the Hulu series centers on the toxic and manipulative on-again, off-again relationship between college students Lucy Albright (Grace Van Patten) and Stephen DeMarco (Jackson White), whose bond causes a ripple effect of chaos and turmoil for their friend group. Maira Garcia, Los Angeles Times, 6 Feb. 2026 Year after year, the need for food support in Rhode Island keeps growing and November's on-again, off-again SNAP benefits freeze put that need in the spotlight. Will Richmond, The Providence Journal, 28 Jan. 2026 It’s been on-again, off-again for twenty years and counting. Brittany Allen, Literary Hub, 27 Jan. 2026 Meganne Young played Rachel, Lee’s on-again, off-again girlfriend. Kelly Martinez, Entertainment Weekly, 25 Jan. 2026 The deal closing suggests an end to an on-again, off-again battle, removing a sticking point in US-China relations at a time when tensions are running high. Liz Hoffman, semafor.com, 22 Jan. 2026 The Hulu drama series stars Grace Van Patten as Lucy Albright and Jackson White as Stephen DeMarco, in a volatile on-again, off-again relationship. Caroline Blair, PEOPLE, 13 Jan. 2026 Beckerink and Tracey’s parents had spent much of that time in court over custody of Tracey’s remains, the timing of her funeral, and an earlier domestic violence case brought in Michigan that also stemmed from the on-again, off-again relationship between Tracey, 36, and Beckerink, 47. Caroline Kubzansky, Chicago Tribune, 13 Jan. 2026 Glaser told The Howard Stern Show in 2024 abot the on-again, off-again nature of their relationship. Jason Pham, StyleCaster, 11 Jan. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1946, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of on-again, off-again was in 1946

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Cite this Entry

“On-again, off-again.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/on-again%2C%20off-again. Accessed 15 Feb. 2026.

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