take off 1 of 2

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takeoff

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noun

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
The Wolverines expected to be taking off at this point in the season, but instead the offense looks largely the same and the defense is showing some uncharacteristic cracks. The Athletic College Football Staff, New York Times, 12 Oct. 2025 Underwood finished the job by completing an 8-yard pass to Donoven McCulley, who took off on a crossing route and created enough space to haul in the pass. Haley Sawyer, Oc Register, 12 Oct. 2025
Noun
When a shortage of air traffic controllers occurs, the FAA reduces the number of takeoffs and landings to ensure on-duty air traffic controllers are not overwhelmed by flight volume. Annabella Rosciglione, The Washington Examiner, 7 Oct. 2025 At least one control tower closes In Burbank Monday, the pilot who radioed the control tower before takeoff received a message noting the workers had gone home. Alexandra Skores, CNN Money, 7 Oct. 2025 See All Example Sentences for take off
Recent Examples of Synonyms for take off
Verb
  • Eberechi Eze, so crucial at the end of last season with seven goals in six games, including the winner in the FA Cup final against Manchester City, departed for Arsenal in the summer, but that does not appear to have disrupted them.
    Matt Woosnam, New York Times, 16 Oct. 2025
  • Morrell, a former BP exec who was appointed by former Disney CEO Bob Chapek, departed after a series of snags that ultimately doomed Chapek’s tenure as CEO.
    Dade Hayes, Deadline, 16 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • Crews have made progress removing hazardous materials and explosives from the massive scene, according to Jamey VanVliet, special agent in charge with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives’ Nashville Field Division.
    Isabel Rosales, CNN Money, 16 Oct. 2025
  • Trump ultimately activated the National Guard and federal agents later in August to deter crime, clear homeless encampments, and remove trash in public areas.
    David Zimmermann, The Washington Examiner, 15 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • Apple isn’t the first to subtract the plus sign from its streaming platform.
    Tony Maglio, HollywoodReporter, 13 Oct. 2025
  • But in an Akan language, the notion that an object could exist as a bare substrate, stripped of properties—say, the idea of a stone, with its weight, texture, and color subtracted—is basically unintelligible; the metaphysical split between a thing and its properties isn’t naturally expressible.
    Lula Konner, The New York Review of Books, 4 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • Based on a true story, Roofman follows the adventures of an Army veteran and struggling father who turns to robbing McDonald’s restaurants by cutting holes in their roofs, earning him the nickname Roofman.
    Pamela McClintock, HollywoodReporter, 12 Oct. 2025
  • Their online childhoods also robbed them of life skills best learned by leaving the house.
    Paul Solotaroff, Rolling Stone, 12 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • Louisiana Fish Fry, the makers behind many delicious Cajun and Creole cooking products, just announced the launch of a new Dark Roux Gumbo Base, creating a premium, yet quick and convenient, solution for home chefs.
    Kait Hanson, Southern Living, 12 Oct. 2025
  • The launch of Quantum System Two follows the deployment last year of our first European quantum data center with multiple installations of our best quantum computers in Germany.
    Jason Ma, Fortune, 12 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • Attorney General Pam Bondi reacted to Amy Poehler's Saturday Night Live (SNL) parody with a direct message to Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem.
    Megan Cartwright, MSNBC Newsweek, 13 Oct. 2025
  • Season 2 of The Hunting Wives looks pretty steamy… at least according to Saturday Night Live‘s parody.
    Dave Nemetz, TVLine, 11 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • With that goal, Messi moved into first place in the Golden Boot race, one goal ahead of Denis Bouanga of Los Angeles FC, who is away on national team duty with Gabon.
    Michelle Kaufman, Miami Herald, 12 Oct. 2025
  • If you are trapped by moving water, move to the highest possible point and call 911 if possible.
    NC Weather Bot, Charlotte Observer, 12 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • How the long-term contracts for Karlsson, Tomáš Hertl and Marc-Edouard Vlasic under former general manager Doug Wilson put off a necessary rebuild, then backing the strip-mining job current GM Mike Grier has been doing since his 2022 hiring.
    Eric Stephens, New York Times, 11 Oct. 2025
  • This helps the shoe absorb impact, pushing off energy back towards you and putting off foot fatigue.
    Jasmine Gomez, Travel + Leisure, 1 Oct. 2025

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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 Oct. 2025.

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