take off 1 of 2

Definition of take offnext
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1
as in launch
a rising from a surface at the start of a flight (as of a rocket) make sure your tray table is safely put away during takeoff

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

2
as in parody
a work that imitates and exaggerates another work for comic effect a sitcom that's a takeoff of an old TV show from the 1960s

Synonyms & Similar Words

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 take off
Verb
Since the team returned to training, with second-team head coach Ryan Richter elevated to interim boss of the first team, the Union has taken off. Thom Harris, New York Times, 16 Aug. 2026 That was the beginning of three championships in four years, and the run-heavy program defined by the full house/wing T formation had taken off. Kyle Newman, Denver Post, 16 Aug. 2026
Noun
The industry refers to them as electric vertical takeoff and landing aircraft, or eVTOLs. Emily L. Mahoney, Miami Herald, 11 Aug. 2026 In January 2009, a US Airways passenger jet flying out of New York City famously landed on the Hudson River after both of the plane's engines began to fail due to a bird strike shortly following takeoff from LaGuardia Airport. Kris Van Cleave, CBS News, 11 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for take off
Recent Examples of Synonyms for take off
Verb
  • That was because the player being replaced — match-winner Will Lankshear — took more than 10 seconds to depart while applauding the supporters.
    George Edwards, New York Times, 18 Aug. 2026
  • President Min Aung Hlaing departed from the capital Naypyitaw on Monday morning accompanied by members of his cabinet.
    ABC News, ABC News, 17 Aug. 2026
Verb
  • When the researchers removed the neurons, the heart stopped functioning completely.
    Isabella Backman, Hartford Courant, 14 Aug. 2026
  • The measure effectively cut off government funding for shrines and removed Shinto practices and teachings from public institutions.
    ABC News, ABC News, 14 Aug. 2026
Verb
  • Net income is what’s leftover after all of that is subtracted out.
    Amanda Gerut, Fortune, 14 Aug. 2026
  • Gross margin is the percentage of revenue left after a company subtracts its direct costs, so the higher the margin the better for the company.
    John Magsam, Arkansas Online, 13 Aug. 2026
Verb
  • Amanda Hernandez, the wife of one of the men who posed as a DTE utility worker and was convicted of robbing and killing a Rochester Hills businessman in 2024, was sentenced on Wednesday for her role in the crime.
    Alysia Burgio, CBS News, 12 Aug. 2026
  • An unassuming woman waltzed through their offices and allegedly robbed the institution of $15 million, armed not with a weapon, but flimsy paperwork and a basket of pies.
    Cheyenne Roundtree, Rolling Stone, 11 Aug. 2026
Noun
  • Further programming and launch details will be revealed closer to the October debut, the company said.
    Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 15 Aug. 2026
  • Unlike terrestrial data centers, repairs or replacement could require another launch.
    Contessa Brewer, CNBC, 14 Aug. 2026
Noun
  • With such a glut of quirky comedy coming out of New Zealand, let’s hope this continues for as long as true crime remains ripe for parody.
    Max Goldbart, Deadline, 11 Aug. 2026
  • The footer included a note that the site is not affiliated with or endorsed by Chan, is meant as parody, and is paid for by Wiener’s campaign.
    Iris Kwok, Los Angeles Times, 11 Aug. 2026
Verb
  • Frequent population movements linked to mining and people fleeing armed conflict add another complication, as people can move before surveillance teams are able to follow up with them.
    ABC News, ABC News, 15 Aug. 2026
  • The researchers also want to move beyond bulk pyrite crystals and produce thin films, which are more directly relevant to electronic and energy devices.
    Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 15 Aug. 2026
Verb
  • Simply not responding is one way to avoid or put off having to deal with what may be an unwelcome request.
    Austin Sarat, The Conversation, 13 Aug. 2026
  • Lower East Side handyman Raymond, meanwhile, was put off by the prices.
    Anne Kadet, Curbed, 7 Aug. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Take off.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/take%20off. Accessed 18 Aug. 2026.

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