1
as in departing
to leave a place often for another
I can only stay for a few minutes, and then I'll need to take off again
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in removing
to rid oneself of (a garment)
take off your coat and stay awhile
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in subtracting
to take away (an amount or number) from a total
the store will take an additional 20% off if you bring in this coupon
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
4
as in robbing
slang
to remove valuables from (a place) unlawfully
a gangbanger who decided to take off some fast-food joint
Synonyms & Similar Words
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of taking off
The New Glenn’s first test flight occurred on January 16, 2025, taking off from Complex 36 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida.
—
Encyclopedia Britannica, 2 May 2026
As many Americans plan their summer vacations, airfares are taking off.
—Mary Cunningham, CBS News, 24 Apr. 2026
With runners at the corners with no outs in the sixth, A's first baseman Nick Kurtz fielded Jared Young’s grounder and threw to third to nab Francisco Lindor, who broke back to the bag after taking off for home.
—ABC News, 10 Apr. 2026
Aurigny also says demand has soured in recent months, falling by 13 percent for flights taking off in May.
—Nicole Hoey, Robb Report, 4 Apr. 2026
Those who fly the small, lightweight aircraft of different stripes were restricted for nearly four years from accessing the airport by ground and taking off in their ultralights.
—Jake Goodrick, Sacbee.com, 4 Apr. 2026
Alex Tafoya was a much easier interview, even taking off his Ghost Rider flaming skull headpiece to talk.
—Peter Larsen, Oc Register, 28 Mar. 2026
As Kasevich rolled into second base with his first double on Friday, the infielder unveiled a calm smile while taking off his batting gloves.
—Mitch Bannon, New York Times, 21 Mar. 2026
Later in the video, Joseph put his socks back on after taking off his shoes and socks, so an officer could check his feet.
—Janelle Ash, FOXNews.com, 20 Mar. 2026
Encyclopedia Britannica, 2 May 2026
As many Americans plan their summer vacations, airfares are taking off.
—Mary Cunningham, CBS News, 24 Apr. 2026
With runners at the corners with no outs in the sixth, A's first baseman Nick Kurtz fielded Jared Young’s grounder and threw to third to nab Francisco Lindor, who broke back to the bag after taking off for home.
—ABC News, 10 Apr. 2026
Aurigny also says demand has soured in recent months, falling by 13 percent for flights taking off in May.
—Nicole Hoey, Robb Report, 4 Apr. 2026
Those who fly the small, lightweight aircraft of different stripes were restricted for nearly four years from accessing the airport by ground and taking off in their ultralights.
—Jake Goodrick, Sacbee.com, 4 Apr. 2026
Alex Tafoya was a much easier interview, even taking off his Ghost Rider flaming skull headpiece to talk.
—Peter Larsen, Oc Register, 28 Mar. 2026
As Kasevich rolled into second base with his first double on Friday, the infielder unveiled a calm smile while taking off his batting gloves.
—Mitch Bannon, New York Times, 21 Mar. 2026
Later in the video, Joseph put his socks back on after taking off his shoes and socks, so an officer could check his feet.
—Janelle Ash, FOXNews.com, 20 Mar. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for taking off
Verb
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Iran’s Mahan Air operated the first resumed flight, departing Tehran early Tuesday and returning to Tehran later the same day, IRNA added.—
Mustafa Qadri,
CNN Money,
28 Apr. 2026
-
Liam Hicks hit a three-run home run in the fifth inning for the Marlins while right-hander Pete Fairbanks (0-2) was charged with three runs in the ninth, while departing with an injury.—
Miami Herald,
Miami Herald,
28 Apr. 2026
Verb
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The bank added digital banking solutions company Q2 Holdings this month, while removing Alkami and Huntington Bancshares .—
Alex Harring,
CNBC,
2 May 2026
-
Under the War Power Act, a president must receive congressional approval by day 60 of a war or begin removing troops.—
Michael Loria,
USA Today,
2 May 2026
Verb
-
Briere said the Flyers' rebuild was entering its next phase, shifting from subtracting players to adding them.—
Tom Dougherty,
CBS News,
14 Apr. 2026
-
The Bureau of Labor Statistics also revised data, adding an additional 34,000 jobs to January, showing a growth of 160,000, but subtracting 41,000 from February, showing a loss of 133,000.—
Ted Johnson,
Deadline,
3 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Two men charged with stealing about $667,000 of Louis Vuitton merchandise from the back of delivery trucks — robbing the drivers at gunpoint — pleaded not guilty in San Diego Superior Court on Wednesday, prosecutors said.—
Caleb Lunetta,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
8 May 2026
-
Benge made another one of those catches in center field Monday, helping out right-hander Austin Warren by robbing Tyler Freeman of extra bases.—
Abbey Mastracco,
New York Daily News,
5 May 2026
Verb
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Anika Reed Latin music superstar Maluma opted for a dapper Tom Ford suit with his hair slicked back into a bun, blowing USA TODAY a kiss before exiting the carpet.—
Anika Reed,
USA Today,
5 May 2026
-
All in all, Sterling broadcasted 5,631 Yankees games, including eight Fall Classics, before exiting the booth.—
Gary Phillips,
New York Daily News,
4 May 2026
Verb
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What will the license plates fund After deducting administrative fees, proceeds from the Disney plates would go toward services provided by hospitals and clinics that are not covered by insurance or a patient.—
Karen Garcia,
Los Angeles Times,
6 May 2026
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The remaining settlement fund after deducting those costs and expenses will then be split among recipients based on their individual amounts, according to the settlement website.—
Melina Khan,
USA Today,
3 May 2026
Verb
-
He was instructed to respond by moving his eyes from left to right, and sure enough, the researchers counted two rightward movements of his eyes.—
Shayla Love,
New Yorker,
1 May 2026
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The sophisticated set by ace production designer David Gropman enables Altman’s perpetually moving and zooming camera to drift in and out of two-way mirrors that depict memories and fantasies with both immediacy and a gauzy nostalgia.—
Jim Hemphill,
IndieWire,
1 May 2026
Verb
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Damon Wayans’ Message to Other Diabetes Patients Wayans wants people who suspect something is off to stop putting off the appointment.—
Samantha Agate,
Miami Herald,
1 May 2026
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Correcting a deficiency is one of the most accessible interventions in everyday health and now there’s a compelling new reason to stop putting off that conversation.—
Allison Palmer,
Kansas City Star,
30 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Taking off.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/taking%20off. Accessed 8 May. 2026.
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