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Definitions

goings-on

[goh-ingz-on, awn] / ˈgoʊ ɪŋzˈɒn, ˈɔn /
NOUN
affair
Synonyms
STRONGEST
liaison relationship
STRONG
affaire amour fling intimacy intrigue love rendezvous romance
WEAK
carrying-on extracurricular activity hanky-panky playing around thing together two-timing
Antonyms
STRONG
dislike hate hatred
NOUN
business
Synonyms
STRONGEST
interest issue problem
STRONG
affair assignment beeswax duty function happening lookout matter palaver point question responsibility subject task topic
WEAK
carrying-on hanky-panky
NOUN
doings
Synonyms
STRONG
acts affairs deal deed events happenings matters proceeding
NOUN
episode
Synonyms
STRONGEST
chapter event experience incident installment matter thing
STRONG
affair business circumstance doings happening interlude occasion occurrence part passage section
WEAK
what's going down
Antonyms
STRONG
whole
NOUN
eventuality
Synonyms
STRONGEST
aftereffect contingency probability
STRONG
aftermath case chance consequence effect event happening issue likelihood outcome possibility result sequel toss-up upshot
WEAK
any case
Antonyms
STRONG
beginning cause commencement origin plan source start unlikelihood
WEAK
improbability
NOUN
extramarital affair
Synonyms
WEAK
affaire amour fling hanky-panky illicit love affair liaison playing around romance thing two-timing
NOUN
matter
Synonyms
STRONGEST
affair business circumstance event incident job proceeding question situation subject thing topic transaction
STRONG
bag episode lookout nub occurrence undertaking
WEAK
shooting match
Antonyms
WEAK
insignificance meaninglessness
NOUN
occasion
Synonyms
STRONGEST
affair celebration circumstance episode experience incident milestone moment scene thing time
STRONG
go happening instant milepost occurrence while
NOUN
proceeding
Synonyms
STRONGEST
action course of action exercise experiment incident measure operation procedure process transaction
STRONG
act adventure casualty circumstance deed happening maneuver move movement occurrence performance step undertaking venture
Antonyms
STRONGEST
idleness inaction
STRONG
cessation inactivity inertia stoppage
NOUN
transaction
Synonyms
STRONGEST
action activity affair agreement bond business buying contract deal enterprise matter negotiation purchase sale selling
STRONG
act bargain compact convention coup covenant deed disposal doings event execution happening intercourse occurrence pact performance play proceeding purchasing step
Antonyms
STRONGEST
disagreement idleness inactivity indolence inertia misunderstanding unemployment
STRONG
failure
WEAK
denial refusal rejection

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.

The boy, as are children in many Meatyard images, is the innocent witness to elusive goings-on.

From The Wall Street Journal • Feb. 21, 2026

Being adored without trying, being involved in goings-on without speaking or taking responsibility?

From Salon • Feb. 18, 2026

In Santa Fe, it’s a house with otherworldly goings-on.

From Los Angeles Times • Jan. 7, 2026

For fellow Brussels local Michel Elias, however, the artwork allowed him to reflect on contemporary goings-on in the Holy Land.

From Barron's • Dec. 2, 2025

Lady Constance must have still been under the influence of the special bread Madame Ionesco had provided, for these terrible goings-on seemed not to trouble her at all.

From "The Long-Lost Home" by Maryrose Wood