as in on and off
not constantly or steadily over a period of time
They've been dating off and on for almost a year.
Related Words
Relevance
Dissimilar Words
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 off and on
The Mackinac Bridge was closed and opened off and on in recent days because of the weather.
—
Paula Wethington, CBS News, 16 Mar. 2026
Masiello, who was a walk-on for Pitino at Kentucky, has been with Pitino off and on for the better part of a decade; he’s been unofficially fired probably at least once a week in that span.
—Dana O’Neil, CNN Money, 15 Mar. 2026
The vigil, which sometimes grew into collective protests, continued off and on until March 6.
—Danielle Wirsansky, The Conversation, 10 Mar. 2026
He was involved off and on with Joplin over the second half of the 1960s, two young hippies whose careers and temperaments drove them apart.
—Hillel Italie, Fortune, 9 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for off and on
Paula Wethington, CBS News, 16 Mar. 2026
Masiello, who was a walk-on for Pitino at Kentucky, has been with Pitino off and on for the better part of a decade; he’s been unofficially fired probably at least once a week in that span.
—Dana O’Neil, CNN Money, 15 Mar. 2026
The vigil, which sometimes grew into collective protests, continued off and on until March 6.
—Danielle Wirsansky, The Conversation, 10 Mar. 2026
He was involved off and on with Joplin over the second half of the 1960s, two young hippies whose careers and temperaments drove them apart.
—Hillel Italie, Fortune, 9 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for off and on
Recent Examples of Synonyms for off and on
Adverb
-
No group has claimed responsibility but residents told The Associated Press that many gunmen on bikes shot sporadically into the community.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
30 Mar. 2026
-
Some airports publish wait times sporadically, and some don’t at all.—
Michele Luhn,
CNBC,
27 Mar. 2026
Adverb
-
While seated in the back of the cruiser, Woods is seen hiccupping and intermittently closing his eyes, at one point leaning back and keeping them shut for several seconds before facing forward again.—
Alaa Elassar,
CNN Money,
3 Apr. 2026
-
The Houthis effectively closed off container shipping in the Suez Canal for nearly two years by intermittently attacking ships in the Red Sea and its chokepoint, the Bab-el-Mandeb Strait, with missiles and drones.—
Glenn Taylor,
Sourcing Journal,
31 Mar. 2026
Adverb
-
The two bodies established diplomatic ties in 1993 but have periodically faced tensions over access to holy sites and the treatment of Christian communities.—
Claire Carter,
The Washington Examiner,
30 Mar. 2026
-
The crew will periodically close lanes, but the intersection and the traffic lights should remain on and open.—
Elle Meyers,
CBS News,
30 Mar. 2026
Adverb
-
The women, undefeated in 38 games and rarely challenged, earned their inevitable place at table with a 70-52 victory.—
Dom Amore,
Hartford Courant,
30 Mar. 2026
-
The imaging revealed some thickening in my breast tissue, which can indicate anything from an infection or cyst to (rarely) cancer.—
Jillian Wager,
Glamour,
30 Mar. 2026
Adverb
-
The other cost-slashing option that is seldom practiced is the simulcast in which the radio network broadcasts the TV announcers, a path the Dallas Stars have preferred for decades.—
Mac Engel
April 2,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
2 Apr. 2026
-
While cold temperatures impact foliage, the rhizomes are seldom damaged and new growth will emerge in spring.—
Kim Toscano,
Southern Living,
1 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Off and on.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/off%20and%20on. Accessed 5 Apr. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
