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
Relevance
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of went off
Everything went off the rails in 2020.
—
Peter Sblendorio, New York Daily News, 1 Feb. 2026
Then Ethan went off to play and never came back.
—Susan Young, PEOPLE, 31 Jan. 2026
But even those weren’t as shocking as what happened with 53 seconds left in regulation, when a DeBrincat dump-in along the boards took a strange bounce, apparently at the spot where the board’s photo hole was, and then went off Capitals goalie Charlie Lindgren and in to tie the score at 3-3.
—Max Bultman, New York Times, 30 Jan. 2026
But as the season progressed, the [shudders] discourse really went off the rails.
—Christian Zilko, IndieWire, 7 Jan. 2026
The firework went off inside a wooden locker in the fourth-floor research laboratory, which is part of the Department of Neurobiology, according to an affidavit.
—Michael Dorgan , Stephen Sorace, FOXNews.com, 4 Nov. 2025
In their fourth career NBA games, LeBron James scored seven points, Luka Doncic 21, Michael Jordan 25, Dirk Nowitzki 8, Tim Duncan 19, and Cooper Flagg went off for 2.
—Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 28 Oct. 2025
Jefferson was driving a 2018 Toyota Camry heading north on Arkansas 53 when the vehicle went off the roadway and collided with a tree, the report says.
—Arkansas Online, 23 Oct. 2025
Susan De Marco was nervous to reenter the workforce when her third son went off to kindergarten.
—Madeline Mitchell, USA Today, 22 Oct. 2025
Peter Sblendorio, New York Daily News, 1 Feb. 2026
Then Ethan went off to play and never came back.
—Susan Young, PEOPLE, 31 Jan. 2026
But even those weren’t as shocking as what happened with 53 seconds left in regulation, when a DeBrincat dump-in along the boards took a strange bounce, apparently at the spot where the board’s photo hole was, and then went off Capitals goalie Charlie Lindgren and in to tie the score at 3-3.
—Max Bultman, New York Times, 30 Jan. 2026
But as the season progressed, the [shudders] discourse really went off the rails.
—Christian Zilko, IndieWire, 7 Jan. 2026
The firework went off inside a wooden locker in the fourth-floor research laboratory, which is part of the Department of Neurobiology, according to an affidavit.
—Michael Dorgan , Stephen Sorace, FOXNews.com, 4 Nov. 2025
In their fourth career NBA games, LeBron James scored seven points, Luka Doncic 21, Michael Jordan 25, Dirk Nowitzki 8, Tim Duncan 19, and Cooper Flagg went off for 2.
—Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 28 Oct. 2025
Jefferson was driving a 2018 Toyota Camry heading north on Arkansas 53 when the vehicle went off the roadway and collided with a tree, the report says.
—Arkansas Online, 23 Oct. 2025
Susan De Marco was nervous to reenter the workforce when her third son went off to kindergarten.
—Madeline Mitchell, USA Today, 22 Oct. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for went off
Verb
-
Though the popularity of Black hairstyles like braids has exploded over the past three decades, braids in all of their diverse presentations are more than a stylish hair trend.—
Ambreia Meadows-Fernandez,
Parents,
30 Jan. 2026
-
Zverev exploded in anger believing that Alcaraz was suffering only from cramp, and so should not have received a full timeout.—
Eduardo Tansley,
New York Times,
30 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Capabilities have progressed so rapidly that in the year between the first and second report, the authors published two interim updates in response to major changes.—
Harry Booth,
Time,
3 Feb. 2026
-
As January progressed, even a possible title charge was in the back of Villa minds.—
Jacob Tanswell,
New York Times,
3 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
The editorial page editor resigned and numerous columnists and reporters departed for other publications.—
David Folkenflik,
NPR,
30 Jan. 2026
-
President Erdoğan mastered this approach—publicly criticizing rate decisions, invoking Islamic prohibitions on interest, signaling displeasure through state media—until governors either complied or departed.—
Güney Yıldız,
Forbes.com,
30 Jan. 2026
Verb
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On Unknown Pleasures, the producer had taken Joy Division’s dense goth-punk sound into a frozen field and detonated it.—
Brad Shoup,
Pitchfork,
24 Jan. 2026
-
More recently, an al Qaeda operative and suspected mastermind behind the 2000 USS Cole bombing — in which suicide bombers sidled up alongside a US warship, waved to the sailors and then detonated explosives — was charged with perfidy, among other crimes.—
Harmeet Kaur,
CNN Money,
21 Jan. 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
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Officers then exited through another door and began kicking their way through the barricade.—
Jeanine Santucci,
USA Today,
31 Jan. 2026
-
Eventually, three people exited the home and were taken into custody, the complaint said.—
Chris Ramirez,
jsonline.com,
30 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
All of a sudden, this idea just popped into my head to put the film in the future, with no human beings left, and hardly any animal life, basically only insects.—
Georg Szalai,
HollywoodReporter,
26 Jan. 2026
-
Noma has previously popped up in Tulum and Kyoto.—
Emily Wilson,
Bon Appetit Magazine,
26 Jan. 2026
Verb
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As the weekend proceeded, some prominent MAGA media writers and hosts pointed out the contradictions and added skepticism about the government’s claims.—
Brian Stelter,
CNN Money,
26 Jan. 2026
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The group breezed through Morgan’s study, where the walls were covered in red silk damask, and proceeded to the library.—
Zach Helfand,
New Yorker,
26 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Went off.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/went%20off. Accessed 5 Feb. 2026.
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