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
Researchers have studied the colony off and on ever since.
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Joshua Rapp Learn, Discover Magazine, 23 Sep. 2024
Conley had known Adam since 2011 and the two had dated off and on before Yoder’s death, according to the Utica Observer-Dispatch.
—Nicole Acosta, Peoplemag, 18 Sep. 2024
The United Kingdom had been at it, off and on, since 1799.
—Joseph Thorndike, Forbes, 3 Sep. 2024
The boy told police he was punched, stomped in the head and raped in the facility in separate incidents off and on over several hours.
—Christine MacDonald, Detroit Free Press, 17 July 2024
See all Example Sentences for off and on 
Joshua Rapp Learn, Discover Magazine, 23 Sep. 2024
Conley had known Adam since 2011 and the two had dated off and on before Yoder’s death, according to the Utica Observer-Dispatch.
—Nicole Acosta, Peoplemag, 18 Sep. 2024
The United Kingdom had been at it, off and on, since 1799.
—Joseph Thorndike, Forbes, 3 Sep. 2024
The boy told police he was punched, stomped in the head and raped in the facility in separate incidents off and on over several hours.
—Christine MacDonald, Detroit Free Press, 17 July 2024
See all Example Sentences for off and on
Recent Examples of Synonyms for off and on
Adverb
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Other supplements may be used more sporadically, like a protein supplement when your appetite is low.Shushy Rita Setrakian MS, RD, Verywell Health, 31 Oct. 2024
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Popocatépetl is a stratovolcano that came back to life in 1994 after 50 years of dormancy, and has been sporadically erupting ever since, with a notable uptick in activity since 2005.Nina Turner, Newsweek, 29 Oct. 2024
Adverb
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While the model may not be available to the public, the team said Times reporters plan to periodically run the model internally and publish updates to the outlet’s live blog in writing.Miranda Nazzaro, The Hill, 5 Nov. 2024
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Small, temporary markdowns, taken periodically throughout the season, may help many retailers maintain profit margins.Arthur Zaczkiewicz, WWD, 5 Nov. 2024
Adverb
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Clashes over the war and domestic politics The relationship between both men was rarely cordial and often caustic.Tara John, CNN, 5 Nov. 2024
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But here's the brutal truth: External rewards—extrinsic motivators—rarely sustain us in the long run.Akin Akinpelu, Forbes, 5 Nov. 2024
Adverb
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What’s seldom discussed are the courts themselves which, sure, follow strict dimensions, but can possess variances other than surface.Maya Ibbitson, Architectural Digest, 4 Nov. 2024
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His supporters seldom mention any unusual qualities such as charisma, infallibility, or wisdom.Fred Weir, The Christian Science Monitor, 31 Oct. 2024
Thesaurus Entries Near off and on
Cite this Entry
“Off and on.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/off%20and%20on. Accessed 22 Nov. 2024.
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