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
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 went off
When Andrei Vasilevskiy tried to poke the puck away, Bolduc had moved so deep into the crease area that the puck went off him and into the net for his first career playoff goal.
—
Arpon Basu, New York Times, 27 Apr. 2026
There were tornado warnings in Des Moines the morning of the race, but by the time the runners stepped to the starting line for the 10,000, a heavy rain and strong winds had stopped and the race went off in a cool mist.
—Scott M. Reid, Oc Register, 25 Apr. 2026
In security footage obtained by WJZ, a group of people could be seen running away after gunshots went off.
—Cbs Baltimore Staff, CBS News, 17 Apr. 2026
In the years since the show went off the air, Per Sullivan stopped acting and chose a private life outside the public eye.
—Meredith Wilshere, PEOPLE, 11 Apr. 2026
Part of it is that its cast, minus Bryan Cranston, has largely faded from the spotlight since the show went off the air in 2006.
—Hershal Pandya, Vulture, 10 Apr. 2026
His second came after a Sharks turnover, as his pass intended for Jack Roslovic went off the stick and past Nedeljkovic.
—Curtis Pashelka, Mercury News, 9 Apr. 2026
Two people were killed when a small airplane went off the runway and burst into flames in Arizona on April 8, according to authorities and news reports.
—Michelle Cruz, USA Today, 9 Apr. 2026
Emeka Okafor went off for 24 points and 15 rebounds, and Ben Gordon scored 21 in the decisive victory.
—Kels Dayton, Hartford Courant, 5 Apr. 2026
Arpon Basu, New York Times, 27 Apr. 2026
There were tornado warnings in Des Moines the morning of the race, but by the time the runners stepped to the starting line for the 10,000, a heavy rain and strong winds had stopped and the race went off in a cool mist.
—Scott M. Reid, Oc Register, 25 Apr. 2026
In security footage obtained by WJZ, a group of people could be seen running away after gunshots went off.
—Cbs Baltimore Staff, CBS News, 17 Apr. 2026
In the years since the show went off the air, Per Sullivan stopped acting and chose a private life outside the public eye.
—Meredith Wilshere, PEOPLE, 11 Apr. 2026
Part of it is that its cast, minus Bryan Cranston, has largely faded from the spotlight since the show went off the air in 2006.
—Hershal Pandya, Vulture, 10 Apr. 2026
His second came after a Sharks turnover, as his pass intended for Jack Roslovic went off the stick and past Nedeljkovic.
—Curtis Pashelka, Mercury News, 9 Apr. 2026
Two people were killed when a small airplane went off the runway and burst into flames in Arizona on April 8, according to authorities and news reports.
—Michelle Cruz, USA Today, 9 Apr. 2026
Emeka Okafor went off for 24 points and 15 rebounds, and Ben Gordon scored 21 in the decisive victory.
—Kels Dayton, Hartford Courant, 5 Apr. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for went off
Verb
-
And that crowd exploded again when Hutson ended it in overtime.—
Arpon Basu,
New York Times,
25 Apr. 2026
-
Perhaps relieved from the heavy themes that preceded it, the crowd exploded into a euphoric celebration of singing and dancing.—
Ben Crandell,
Sun Sentinel,
24 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
That progressed slowly to sending each other nudes.—
Staff Author,
PEOPLE,
27 Apr. 2026
-
Morgan Rogers fired wide from the ensuing chance, yet the sweeping move — teasing passes before going through the gears as play progressed upfield — was what Villa often desire, but can sometime lack.—
Jacob Tanswell,
New York Times,
26 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
The Padres’ only run in the first six innings came on a home run by Ty France in the fifth off Brandon Pfaadt, who had taken over for starter Zac Gallen, who departed following the third inning after being hit in his throwing shoulder by a line drive.—
Kevin Acee,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
26 Apr. 2026
-
The six trucks departed Van in eastern Turkey to pass through the Gurbulak border crossing, Van Health Director Muhammed Tosun said.—
Sarah Dean,
NBC news,
25 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Archaeologists have uncovered a mortar shell from the bloodiest battle in Scotland's history — a shell that never detonated.—
Andrea Margolis,
FOXNews.com,
24 Apr. 2026
-
The court sided with a soldier who was badly injured when a Taliban operative working at the Bagram Airfield detonated a suicide bomb.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
22 Apr. 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
-
Webster then exited the module and turned off the camera.—
Kelly Davis,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
26 Apr. 2026
-
The vessels have exited the Strait of Hormuz but face severe restrictions despite earlier clearance given by the Iranian government, he was cited as saying by the national Bernama news agency.—
Sarah Dean,
NBC news,
25 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
But Luis Robert popped out in foul territory for the second out, and Vientos followed with a swinging strikeout to end the threat.—
Peter Sblendorio,
Hartford Courant,
26 Apr. 2026
-
Carlsson slammed a shot off Ingram’s right pad that Granlund popped home for his first goal of the spring.—
Andrew Knoll,
Oc Register,
25 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Facing an awkward bunker shot from 35 yards to a back pin where a miss long is death, Matt proceeded to knock it to 14 inches.—
Mark Harris OutKick,
FOXNews.com,
27 Apr. 2026
-
The company launched an investigation into the accounts on its platforms linked to these cases and proceeded to delete them.—
Albinson Linares,
NBC news,
26 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Went off.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/went%20off. Accessed 2 May. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
