took off

VERB

leave; leave the ground

Synonyms

STRONGEST

blast off blow depart disappear get off get out go lift off pull out soar withdraw

WEAK

ascend bear beat it become airborne begone clear out decamp exit go away head hightail hit the road hit the trail light out make quit scram set out shove off split take to the air vamoose

Antonyms

STRONGEST

arrive come come in continue stay

VERB

mock, satirize

Synonyms

WEAK

ape burlesque caricature imitate lampoon mimic parody ridicule send up spoof travesty

Antonyms

WEAK

arrive come stay

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

His plane took off just as one carrying his wife landed.

From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 7, 2026

The cost of newer bottles has also risen exponentially, boosted by a booming wine market in East Asia that took off in the mid-2000s.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 31, 2026

When change happens quickly, like it did when Clark’s wife took off in the night, it can be near-impossible to grapple with.

From Salon • May 30, 2026

Another of the deportees, Carlos Rodelo, says he only learned of his final destination just hours before the flight took off.

From BBC • May 22, 2026

Birds called to each other across the banks, and wild ducks took off from the surface in formation.

From "Flying Through Water" by Mamle Wolo