layoff 1 of 2

1
as in dismissal
the termination of the employment of an employee or a work force often temporarily even senior employees lost their jobs in the massive layoff

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

2
as in winter
a period of often involuntary inactivity or idleness after such a long layoff the boxer badly needed to get back into shape

Synonyms & Similar Words

lay off

2 of 2

verb

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 layoff
Noun
But layoffs across the industry are starting to creep in that could officially take hold in the coming months. Glenn Taylor, Sourcing Journal, 8 May 2025 Dozens of former federal workers and concerned citizens gathered at the state Capitol’s west steps on Tuesday to urge state officials to support those affected by ongoing and upcoming federal cuts and layoffs. Jessica Alvarado Gamez, Denver Post, 7 May 2025
Verb
Then on Monday, a source with knowledge of the situation confirmed that nine employees were laid off and given two weeks severance, leaving just four remaining. Gigi Zamora, Forbes.com, 13 May 2025 And on April 1, 2025, the administration laid off the entire staff of the LIHEAP office. Conor Harrison, The Conversation, 13 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for layoff
Recent Examples of Synonyms for layoff
Noun
  • Last month, Unilever called for the dismissal of the lawsuit.
    Gabe Whisnant, MSNBC Newsweek, 14 May 2025
  • The dismissal of acting director Cameron Hamilton on May 8 adds to ongoing layoffs, budget cuts, grant cancellations and leadership changes at FEMA, and officials now say the agency could run out of money as soon as July.
    Hayley Smith, Los Angeles Times, 14 May 2025
Noun
  • Listen to this article The Broncos’ winter of staff attrition, finally, is turning over to a spring of staff addition.
    Luca Evans, Denver Post, 13 May 2025
  • Media members asked Bregman about the offseason pursuit, the possibility of being booed, his relationship with manager A.J. Hinch, and yes, even the possibility of the Tigers being on his radar again next winter, when Bregman could opt out of his Red Sox deal.
    Cody Stavenhagen, New York Times, 13 May 2025
Verb
  • One day, a man named Harold McPherson stopped to answer her, and not long after, the two married.
    Dorothy Fortenberry, The Atlantic, 12 May 2025
  • Parts of the river so choked by weed that boat traffic was stopped were clear within days.
    Edmund H. Mahony, Hartford Courant, 12 May 2025
Noun
  • The report said her firing was due to her role in the vaccine mandate, which saw many service members booted for not complying.
    Jack Birle, The Washington Examiner, 3 May 2025
  • Kohl’s said Thursday that Buchanan’s firing is unrelated to its performance, financial reporting, results of operations and did not involve any of its other employees.
    Time, Time, 2 May 2025
Noun
  • If one partner needs space and the other needs closeness, find a middle ground, like agreeing to revisit the conversation after a short break.
    Mark Travers, Forbes.com, 4 May 2025
  • If a decision still has not been made after three days, a break of up to one day is permitted, allowing for prayer and discussion amongst cardinals.
    Callum Sutherland, Time, 3 May 2025
Verb
  • But without a new agreement, it would be forced to cease operations and lay off 58 workers at the Vacaville site.
    Annika Merrilees, Sacbee.com, 7 May 2025
  • Ryan Furniture in Havre de Grace will cease operations after doing business over 75 years.
    Todd Karpovich, Baltimore Sun, 6 May 2025
Noun
  • Khalil’s attorneys noted that his wife went into labor early and thought the furlough was reasonable so both parents could be present for the birth.
    Lauren Irwin, The Hill, 22 Apr. 2025
  • Khalil’s lawyers requested a two-week furlough from his current imprisonment at the LaSalle Detention Center in Jena, La., after his wife, Dr. Noor Abdalla, went into labor in New York City.
    Meredith Kile, People.com, 22 Apr. 2025
Noun
  • This shared downtime likely helps build those strong companionship bonds.
    Maria Morava, MSNBC Newsweek, 14 May 2025
  • Operators can optimize their O&M strategies, reduce downtime and minimize operational costs by leveraging data, predictive models and machine learning.
    Joern Hackbarth, Forbes.com, 14 May 2025

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Layoff.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/layoff. Accessed 19 May. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on layoff

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!