1
as in exploded
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
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in progressed
to move forward along a course
the wedding went off without so much as a single glitch
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in departed
to leave a place often for another
don't go off without telling us where we can find you
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of went off
The race went off apparently without a hitch, with Kyle Kirkwood prevailing.
—
Jim Barnes, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 15 Mar. 2026
The first open-wheel street race in North Texas in more than four decades went off like gangbusters Sunday, with the inaugural Java House Grand Prix of Arlington drawing rave reviews all around.
—Kevin Sherrington
mar. 15, Dallas Morning News, 15 Mar. 2026
The defenseman’s shot from just inside the blue line went off Batherson and past Sharks goalie Laurent Brossoit for a 5-4 Senators lead.
—Curtis Pashelka, Mercury News, 15 Mar. 2026
Berger’s 7-iron went off the back of the green.
—Edgar Thompson, The Orlando Sentinel, 8 Mar. 2026
An initial investigation showed that a 2012 Volvo SUV was traveling northbound on 600 W and went off the road near a curve, striking a tree that was on the east side of the road.
—Post-Tribune, Chicago Tribune, 7 Mar. 2026
The takeaways After about 40 minutes, the timer went off.
—Sofia Zarran, Miami Herald, 7 Mar. 2026
Jaroslav Chmelar scored his first career NHL goal a few minutes after Lafreniere put the Rangers up, bringing some joy to the team and crowd at the three-quarter mark of a season that long ago went off the rails.
—CBS News, 6 Mar. 2026
Florida cut it to a goal with 35 seconds left when Bennett’s shot went off the post and Buffalo defenseman Rasmus Dahlin inadvertently swept the puck in off of Lyon.
—ABC News, 27 Feb. 2026
Jim Barnes, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 15 Mar. 2026
The first open-wheel street race in North Texas in more than four decades went off like gangbusters Sunday, with the inaugural Java House Grand Prix of Arlington drawing rave reviews all around.
—Kevin Sherrington
mar. 15, Dallas Morning News, 15 Mar. 2026
The defenseman’s shot from just inside the blue line went off Batherson and past Sharks goalie Laurent Brossoit for a 5-4 Senators lead.
—Curtis Pashelka, Mercury News, 15 Mar. 2026
Berger’s 7-iron went off the back of the green.
—Edgar Thompson, The Orlando Sentinel, 8 Mar. 2026
An initial investigation showed that a 2012 Volvo SUV was traveling northbound on 600 W and went off the road near a curve, striking a tree that was on the east side of the road.
—Post-Tribune, Chicago Tribune, 7 Mar. 2026
The takeaways After about 40 minutes, the timer went off.
—Sofia Zarran, Miami Herald, 7 Mar. 2026
Jaroslav Chmelar scored his first career NHL goal a few minutes after Lafreniere put the Rangers up, bringing some joy to the team and crowd at the three-quarter mark of a season that long ago went off the rails.
—CBS News, 6 Mar. 2026
Florida cut it to a goal with 35 seconds left when Bennett’s shot went off the post and Buffalo defenseman Rasmus Dahlin inadvertently swept the puck in off of Lyon.
—ABC News, 27 Feb. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for went off
Verb
-
Some of those strikes exploded outside a hotel in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, as representatives from Middle Eastern countries gathered to discuss the war.—
Marissa Martinez,
NBC news,
20 Mar. 2026
-
In a separate incident on Thursday night, a house exploded during a fire in Lake Dallas, officials said.—
Harriet Ramos,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
20 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Miles McBride has progressed to performing on-court basketball activities and taking contact in practice, but there is no firm timetable in place for his return from surgery to repair a pelvic/core muscle.—
Kristian Winfield,
New York Daily News,
17 Mar. 2026
-
More than 4,000 Amazon shoppers love the system; system 2 for progressed thinning is the most popular.—
Kate Tully Ellsworth,
USA Today,
17 Mar. 2026
Verb
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The protests come after a group departed from Miami International Airport carrying supplies to Cuba, where citizens face dire conditions.—
Nikiya Carrero,
CBS News,
21 Mar. 2026
-
The Bulldogs have played for two national championships and gone 56-6 in the West Coast Conference tournament in the 27 years since Few was tapped to become the head coach after Monson departed for a job in a bigger conference.—
Andrew Greif,
NBC news,
21 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Will a nuclear bomb be detonated?—
The Editorial Board,
Chicago Tribune,
18 Mar. 2026
-
Instead, the round detonated prematurely at 453 meters, or about 1,486 feet, in the air, around 3,300 feet from its firing location, according to the report.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
17 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Johnson’s office did not immediately respond to a request for comment Wednesday, nor did HUD officials.—
Lizzie Kane,
Chicago Tribune,
7 Aug. 2025
-
The two men then said Smollett paid them to stage the attack, and Smollett was charged with filing a false police report; the charges were later dropped after Smollett paid a fine and did community service.—
Rick Porter,
HollywoodReporter,
6 Aug. 2025
Verb
-
Two gunmen exited the vehicle, pulled out guns, and opened fire at the victim's vehicle before fleeing the scene.—
Jeramie Bizzle,
CBS News,
21 Mar. 2026
-
The bolt reportedly entered the victim’s face just below his left eye and exited the back of his head.—
Michael Sinkewicz,
FOXNews.com,
20 Mar. 2026
Verb
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As the vast landscape spread out below, filled with roaming herds and golden hues, our guest popped the question—creating a moment both magical and unforgettable.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
17 Mar. 2026
-
One critique that popped up around One Battle had to do with the campaign’s strenuous avoidance of saying anything political.—
Nate Jones,
Vulture,
16 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Booker then proceeded to score the Suns’ first 10 points of the second half, including eight in 46 seconds.—
Zack Cox,
Boston Herald,
16 Mar. 2026
-
This year’s event has proceeded without uproar.—
Matthew Carey,
Deadline,
14 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Went off.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/went%20off. Accessed 22 Mar. 2026.
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