on and off 1 of 2

adverb

Definition of on and offnext
as in off and on
not constantly or steadily over a period of time It's been raining on and off all afternoon.

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

on-and-off

2 of 2

adjective

as in recurrent
occurring or appearing at intervals an on-and-off friendship over the years

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Examples Sentences

Recent Examples of Synonyms for on and off
  1. off and on
  2. recurrent
  3. sporadically
  4. recurring
  5. periodic
  6. periodically
  7. intermittent
  8. occasionally
Adverb
  • Well, how about the advice to turn your smartphone off and on again weekly to prevent or mitigate spear-phishing campaigns to install spyware, malware and/or zero-click exploits for starters.
    Davey Winder, Forbes, 20 Dec. 2024
  • Instead of turning it off and on, consider reducing the temperature by a few degrees.
    Lauren David, Southern Living, 9 Dec. 2024
Definition of off and on
Adjective
  • If tension headaches become chronic and recurrent, a healthcare provider may prescribe medications to prevent attacks.
    Mark Gurarie, Verywell Health, 8 Jan. 2025
  • An infinitely patient good boy with expressively floppy ears and no (visible) mouth, Gromit is more truly Wallace’s helpmate and recurrent savior.
    Manohla Dargis, New York Times, 2 Jan. 2025
Definition of recurrent
Adverb
  • Hardly any sleep, eating sporadically, always a wary eye on the weather, but in this case you’re surrounded by water with nobody around for possibly hundreds of miles.
    George Allen, Robb Report, 15 Jan. 2025
  • The reptile wiggles its feet back and forth sporadically.
    Kelli Bender, People.com, 14 Jan. 2025
Definition of sporadically
Adjective
  • Anxiety about pocketbook issues, however, formed a recurring and persistent theme.
    David Lauter, Los Angeles Times, 21 Sep. 2024
  • The company has bolstered its software and securities business to diversify and bring in more recurring subscription revenue.
    Ari Levy, CNBC, 14 Aug. 2024
Definition of recurring
Adjective
  • Ensure your data is accurate and current by conducting periodic reviews of POI datasets, especially for critical markets and high-risk properties.
    Geoff Michener, Forbes, 8 Jan. 2025
  • Coastal communities live under the periodic threat that drilling suspensions could be lifted, and a permanent ban promises long-term confidence, particularly for the tourism and fishing industries.
    Lisa Friedman, New York Times, 6 Jan. 2025
Definition of periodic
Adverb
  • Long ago, Southern California’s scrub-forest ecosystems would periodically burn, limiting fuel for future fires.
    Justin Angle, The Conversation, 16 Jan. 2025
  • Since that time, attempts to overturn Wong Kim Ark have arisen periodically.
    Rachel E. Rosenbloom / Made by History, TIME, 15 Jan. 2025
Definition of periodically
Adjective
  • Such moments of creative exhilaration were intermittent adornments of a diffuse slog.
    Richard Brody, The New Yorker, 17 Jan. 2025
  • Situated only a hefty clearance from the Manchester Ship Canal, the ground, complete with a two-storey clubhouse, 250-seat stand and even a commentators’ box, has since had intermittent use from various Sunday League sides and most recently an under-18s team managed by YouTuber ‘Angry Ginge’.
    Richard Sutcliffe, The Athletic, 17 Jan. 2025
Definition of intermittent
Adverb
  • The film shows the occasionally disputatious relationship between Marvin and her grandparents, who raised her.
    Matthew Carey, Deadline, 12 Jan. 2025
  • Reduce heat to medium-high and simmer, stirring occasionally, until thickened, about 5 minutes.
    Elizabeth Mervosh, Southern Living, 11 Jan. 2025
Definition of occasionally
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.

Thesaurus Entries Near on and off

on-and-off

on and off

on an even keel

See More Nearby Entries 

Cite this Entry

“On and off.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/on%20and%20off. Accessed 21 Jan. 2025.

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