1
as in to happen
to take place
what in the world is going on in there?
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
2
as in to ramble
to talk at length without sticking to a topic or getting to a point
my, but Aunt Betty does go on about all of her aches and pains
Synonyms & Similar Words
1
as in idiot
a stupid person
an unfortunate tendency to call those who disagree with him "brainless goons"
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in thug
a violent, brutal person who is often a member of an organized gang
the crime boss threatened to send the goons after him if he squealed
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 go on
Thomas Smith, Billboard, 3 June 2025
Fans can sign up for presale access on the artist’s website, and these tickets go on sale at 10 a.m. Wednesday, June 4.
—Joseph Hernandez, Kansas City Star, 3 June 2025
Louis Peitzman, Vulture, 8 May 2025
One of Kate’s goons injects him with whatever makes people lose consciousness instantly on these shows — a key Rx in the Inviolable Rules of Television Health and Medicine cabinet!
—Jessica M. Goldstein, Vulture, 25 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for go on
Verb
Tickets for the show will go on presale on Jun. 4 at 10 a.m. BST, with a full general sale on Jun. 6 at 10 a.m. BST .
—Thomas Smith, Billboard, 3 June 2025
Fans can sign up for presale access on the artist’s website, and these tickets go on sale at 10 a.m. Wednesday, June 4.
—Joseph Hernandez, Kansas City Star, 3 June 2025
Noun
Benjamin Bratt’s Cliff was a great low-level threat in season one, but the goons feel a little too cartoonish to rely on regularly.
—Louis Peitzman, Vulture, 8 May 2025
One of Kate’s goons injects him with whatever makes people lose consciousness instantly on these shows — a key Rx in the Inviolable Rules of Television Health and Medicine cabinet!
—Jessica M. Goldstein, Vulture, 25 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for go on
Recent Examples of Synonyms for go on
Verb
-
Don’t miss what’s happening People on X are the first to know. Don’t miss what’s happening People on X are the first to know.—
X (formerly Twitter),
X (formerly Twitter),
30 May 2025
-
Although, while in some states' disenrollment happened rapidly, returning to enrollment rates matching the early 2020 numbers, national Medicaid and CHIP enrollment is not yet back to pre-pandemic levels.—
Jasmine Laws,
MSNBC Newsweek,
29 May 2025
Verb
-
Its text, which rambled over hundreds of pages, constructed several global tiers of AI access and strictly dictated when, where, and how advanced AI products can be deployed.—
Matthew Mittelsteadt,
National Review,
26 May 2025
-
The audio proves otherwise as the recordings show Biden was confused, rambling, and couldn’t even remember when his son Beau died.—
Doug Friednash,
Denver Post,
21 May 2025
Noun
-
Summit, June 10 Image So Far Gone by Jess Walter Rhys Kinnick, a journalist and a recluse, is living off the grid in the woods near Spokane, Wash., when his grandchildren are kidnapped by thugs.—
Laura Thompson,
New York Times,
22 May 2025
-
Everything changes, however, when two thugs come to visit and promptly beat the ever-loving heck out of Hank at the front door.—
Emlyn Travis Published,
EW.com,
21 May 2025
Verb
-
Pollination season was windy, cold and rainy — but supply chain problems began to improve and inventory came down.—
Annika Merrilees,
Sacbee.com,
7 June 2025
-
Friday night’s outcome came down to two ridiculous shots from distance that got past one of the best goalies in the NWSL.—
Fernando Ramirez,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
6 June 2025
Noun
-
New threats emerge, including a ruthless new villain (Bill Skarsgård) and a blind assassin from Wick’s past, played by Donnie Yen in a standout performance.—
Emily Blackwood,
People.com,
6 June 2025
-
Nicholas Hoult plays the film’s villain, the megalomaniac super-genius Lex Luthor.—
Jack Dunn,
Variety,
5 June 2025
Verb
-
The chill in investor confidence spread to the stock market, but several announcements from Trump about tariffs rattled stocks deeper.—
Megan Poinski,
Forbes.com,
27 May 2025
-
The booms rattle windows, frighten pets, and have raised concerns about threats to the structural integrity of private homes.—
ArsTechnica,
ArsTechnica,
27 May 2025
Noun
-
Sometimes too stupid is actually smartski but sometimes is just stupid stupid.—
Caroline Downey,
National Review,
27 Mar. 2025
-
An underrated gem — not enough people have seen this top-tier season — Squirrels Trip has some fabulous vocals, very funny lyrics, a heavy dose of stupid, and an engaging story.—
Barry Levitt,
Vulture,
21 Feb. 2025
Noun
-
Polish media have also reported on his connections to gangsters and the world of prostitution.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
30 May 2025
-
Historically speaking, a half-Mexican woman isn’t usually the first in line to write a story about a violently ambitious gangster, which is what excited me most about it.—
Nellie Andreeva,
Deadline,
28 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Go on.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/go%20on. Accessed 10 Jun. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share