go off

1
as in to explode
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

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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 go off On March 7, a TSA body scanner at Newark Liberty International Airport in New Jersey went off after a Pennsylvania man walked through. Colson Thayer, People.com, 24 July 2025 As batteries get better and cheaper, consumer EV charging stations can go off grid. Andrew Moseman, IEEE Spectrum, 24 July 2025 Osbourne’s show went off without incident as the rocker performed 13 songs over an 80-minute set. Brayden Garcia july 22, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 22 July 2025 Without this funding, many of these outlets are going to have to either make massive programming cuts, reduce staff, or, if the worst fears are realized, go off the air completely. Josef Adalian, Vulture, 17 July 2025 See All Example Sentences for go off
Recent Examples of Synonyms for go off
Verb
  • The season two synopsis for The Buccaneers reads: In the first season of The Buccaneers, a group of fun-loving young American girls exploded into the tightly corseted London of the 1870s...setting hearts racing and kicking off an Anglo-American culture clash.
    Billie Melissa, MSNBC Newsweek, 18 July 2025
  • This lack of exchange didn't go unnoticed, and social media exploded with rumors that the former costars are still not on friendly terms.
    EW.com, EW.com, 18 July 2025
Verb
  • From there, Glenn climbed the ladder, progressing from assistant defensive backs coach for the Browns to defensive backs coach for the Saints, to Lions’ defensive coordinator in 2021.
    Antwan Staley, New York Daily News, 23 July 2025
  • The country had turned against Argentine manager Gerardo ‘Tata’ Martino and there was little hope that the CONCACAF giants would progress from Group C that featured Poland, Argentina and Saudi Arabia.
    The Athletic UK Staff, New York Times, 23 July 2025
Verb
  • Mike Christensen, an airport spokesman for Hollywood Burbank, said that neither the control tower nor the operations department, which tracks planes departing and arriving, have any record of the Southwest flight plunging in their airspace.
    Rio Yamat, Chicago Tribune, 26 July 2025
  • Alexander Isak has made clear his desire to depart St James’ Park this summer with Liverpool reportedly interested in signing the Swedish striker.
    Graham Ruthven, Forbes.com, 26 July 2025
Verb
  • At the same time, a squad attempts to raid the lab, leading to a massive shoot-out culminating with the drug dealers detonating an explosive, destroying the lab.
    Keith Langston, People.com, 17 July 2025
  • In 1945: The Manhattan Project successfully detonated the world’s first atomic bomb at Alamogordo, New Mexico.
    Lorenzino Estrada, AZCentral.com, 16 July 2025
Verb
  • The Great Lakes freighter sank — one of the largest on Lake Superior ever to do so — during a violent November storm in 1975 while carrying Minnesota ore.
    Frank Witsil, Freep.com, 23 July 2025
  • The audience knows more about Jane than Xavier does.
    Maureen Lee Lenker, EW.com, 22 July 2025
Verb
  • The pilot and three passengers were able to safely exit the plane.
    Grethel Aguila, Miami Herald, 14 July 2025
  • Here, exiting through the gift shop—fittingly named Lucky Rabbit—is a way to keep the story going at home.
    AFAR Media, AFAR Media, 14 July 2025
Verb
  • Kids can pop one in the microwave for about 7-10 minutes, depending on size, and then again, add their favorite topping or a completely customizable meal.
    Stephanie Ganz, Parents, 15 July 2025
  • Though their first meet-up was riddled with a series of mishaps, Rainier popped the question to her seven months later during Christmas.
    Michelle Lee, People.com, 15 July 2025
Verb
  • The court split along ideological lines on Monday, with the conservative majority clearing the way for the Trump administration to proceed with plans to lay off some 1,400 employees at the Department of Education (DOE).
    Amanda Castro Hannah Parry, MSNBC Newsweek, 15 July 2025
  • Also Monday, the Supreme Court allowed the Trump administration to proceed with mass layoffs at another agency – the Department of Education – for now.
    Rene Marsh, CNN Money, 15 July 2025

Cite this Entry

“Go off.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/go%20off. Accessed 30 Jul. 2025.

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