go off

1
as in to explode
to break open or into pieces usually because of internal pressure specialists were able to deactivate the bomb before it went off

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

2
3

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 go off The four big screens on the pitch show the pre-match entertainment, there are fireworks going off just next to them. Charlie Eccleshare, New York Times, 1 June 2025 People could go off to work in factories and earn a decent middle-class wage. David Brooks, Mercury News, 31 May 2025 The screen cuts to black as the gun goes off again, leaving audiences to question what the hell is going to happen next. Katie Campione, Deadline, 25 May 2025 This week it was reported that sirens did not go off as deadly tornadic storms moved through the city of St. Louis. Marshall Shepherd, Forbes.com, 24 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for go off
Recent Examples of Synonyms for go off
Verb
  • The audience size hasn’t exploded, but the number of brands chasing them has.
    Waleed Najam, Forbes.com, 13 June 2025
  • Flight Pan Am 103 was en route from Heathrow to JFK when a bomb exploded in its hold over the Scottish town of Lockerbie, killing 270 people, including 43 British citizens and 190 Americans.
    Leo Barraclough, Variety, 13 June 2025
Verb
  • Whether Arsenal’s interest progresses will be determined by their key decision-makers.
    James McNicholas, New York Times, 6 June 2025
  • Some neurological issue that will progress quickly.
    Greta Morgan June 5, Literary Hub, 5 June 2025
Verb
  • This blunt attribution departs from the more generalized threat descriptions of previous administrations.
    Emil Sayegh, Forbes.com, 7 June 2025
  • President Donald Trump gives a thumbs-up before departing on Marine One from the South Lawn of the White House on June 6 in Washington, D.C. President Donald Trump gives a thumbs-up before departing on Marine One from the South Lawn of the White House on June 6 in Washington, D.C.
    Sonam Sheth Hannah Parry, MSNBC Newsweek, 6 June 2025
Verb
  • At the same moment, Paul presses the button on a remote and detonates a bomb in O’Hara’s office, killing his men there.
    Kimberly Roots, TVLine, 1 June 2025
  • An attacker opened fire on the Israeli Consulate in Munich in September, and two months later grenades were detonated near the Israeli Embassy in Copenhagen.
    Michael D. Shear, New York Times, 22 May 2025
Verb
  • One of his owners, Craig Leipold, did, back in January.
    Pierre LeBrun, New York Times, 5 June 2025
  • Enter Ketamine To confirm the finding, the team did the experiment again.
    Jon Hamilton, NPR, 4 June 2025
Verb
  • This demographic shift is creating a double whammy for employers: Not only are fewer people seeking new opportunities, but a significant portion of the experienced workforce will soon exit the market.
    Duane Tursi, Forbes.com, 10 June 2025
  • The Dallas phone company had taken a blood-bath in its four-year foray into entertainment and was eager to exit.
    Stephen Battaglio, Los Angeles Times, 9 June 2025
Verb
  • For example, as messages pop up on your home screen, the time display starts to shrink to accommodate them.
    Alain Sherter, CBS News, 9 June 2025
  • The Virginia singer popped up on streamer DLOU’s Twitch earlier this week and found himself in an awkward situation.
    Angel Diaz, Billboard, 6 June 2025
Verb
  • According to his ex, Diddy proceeded to open up a pornographic video on her phone and then summon a male escort named Anton to come over.
    Amber Corrine, VIBE.com, 10 June 2025
  • Texas has been able to enforce the age-verification measure while the case proceeds.
    Melissa Quinn June 9, CBS News, 9 June 2025

Cite this Entry

“Go off.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/go%20off. Accessed 17 Jun. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on go off

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!