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.
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Recent Examples of off and on
The footage audio revealed the dog barked off and on for nearly 15 minutes.
—
Kevin Fixler, Idaho Statesman, 7 Aug. 2025
Over the course of his nearly four seasons in Minnesota, Correa was a leader for the Twins, both off and on the field.
—Betsy Helfand, Twin Cities, 31 July 2025
The siblings have wrangled in court off and on through the years.
—Rosemary Feitelberg, Footwear News, 31 July 2025
Although the area has been mined off and on for decades, Resolution wants to use a new method, which will obliterate Oak Flat and its sacred status.
—Debra Utacia Krol, AZCentral.com, 13 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for off and on
Kevin Fixler, Idaho Statesman, 7 Aug. 2025
Over the course of his nearly four seasons in Minnesota, Correa was a leader for the Twins, both off and on the field.
—Betsy Helfand, Twin Cities, 31 July 2025
The siblings have wrangled in court off and on through the years.
—Rosemary Feitelberg, Footwear News, 31 July 2025
Although the area has been mined off and on for decades, Resolution wants to use a new method, which will obliterate Oak Flat and its sacred status.
—Debra Utacia Krol, AZCentral.com, 13 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for off and on
Recent Examples of Synonyms for off and on
Adverb
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Sheen has since laid low, and claims to be sober and to have straightened his life out — even appearing sporadically in film and TV roles.—
Oren Peleg,
HollywoodReporter,
9 Sep. 2025
-
The group has reunited only sporadically since then, including notably for the 2007 Celebration Day concert in London, but a full reunion never materialized.—
Hugh McIntyre,
Forbes.com,
8 Sep. 2025
Adverb
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In it, the scientists postulated an increased risk of death in people who fasted intermittently.—
Frederik Jötten,
Scientific American,
12 Sep. 2025
-
Mating season is February to April, and females will lay one or two eggs per day intermittently during that period.—
Ashley Mackin Solomon,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
7 Sep. 2025
Adverb
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Just be sure to periodically check if your pens still work.—
Hallie Milstein,
Southern Living,
17 Sep. 2025
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The key consideration is whether the decision was made with appropriate care, supported by analysis, and reviewed periodically in light of changing circumstances.—
Chris Groshong,
Forbes.com,
17 Sep. 2025
Adverb
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But cash is rarely a long-term solution.—
Gregory Clifford,
Forbes.com,
17 Sep. 2025
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The president talks about China as an economic rival but rarely as a strategic one—a view neatly encapsulated by his decision last month to ease export controls on advanced chips, which granted Beijing a boost in the AI race in exchange for a cut of the resulting sales.—
Thomas Wright,
The Atlantic,
17 Sep. 2025
Adverb
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One silent element to the transfer portal that is seldom discussed, but important to the athletes, is those pesky classes.—
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
9 Sep. 2025
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When an employer terminates, or is found to have terminated, an employee without cause, the contract (outside of the unionized setting) seldom entitles the employee to ger her job back.—
Dan Eaton,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
8 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Off and on.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/off%20and%20on. Accessed 20 Sep. 2025.
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