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
  • While cases of listeriosis are relatively rare, outbreaks of the serious illness occur sporadically and concerns of contamination by the bacteria are a common cause of food product recalls.
    Paul Du Quenoy, Newsweek, 1 Jan. 2025
  • Since losing to Trump, Harris has appeared only sporadically in public, accompanying Biden to Arlington Cemetery on Veterans Day, swearing in three new senators, attending White House events and holiday parties.
    Carl Leubsdorf, The Mercury News, 26 Dec. 2024
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
  • As noted by the IRS, under the user agreement, the rewards were periodically deposited to the taxpayer’s account (following any applicable lockup or waiting period).
    Timothy M. Todd, Forbes, 31 Dec. 2024
  • After introducing the tracers at specific locations, the study area is periodically sampled to detect and quantify the tracers' distribution, providing insights into sediment movement over time.
    George Monastiriakos, Newsweek, 30 Dec. 2024
Definition of periodically
Adjective
  • Storing the energy produced by wind turbines and solar panels during peak generation times, storage systems ensure its availability for later use, thus stabilizing the supply and demand of these otherwise intermittent resources.
    George Sakellaris, Forbes, 6 Jan. 2025
  • Somewhere in between the two, intermittent fasting has been growing in popularity.
    Daryl Austin, USA TODAY, 5 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 18 Jan. 2025.

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