cooling-off

adjective

cool·​ing-off ˈkü-liŋ-ˈȯf How to pronounce cooling-off (audio)
: designed to allow passions to cool or to permit negotiation between parties
a cooling-off period

Examples of cooling-off in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
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.
The broad rethink of the AI-investment theme in recent weeks has coincided with an overdue cooling-off of the high-momentum stocks, raising the possibility that this was a narrative developing to fit the price action. Michael Santoli, CNBC, 26 Aug. 2025 The union members rejected the latest proposal after a weeklong cooling-off period. Cathy Bussewitz, Fortune, 4 Aug. 2025 Reporters in Charlotte had gotten used to that lengthy cooling-off period after losses (although in the one-loss 2015 regular season, such waits were far less common). Théoden Janes, Charlotte Observer, 17 July 2025 After a cooling-off period which allowed both teams to compete in the Club World Cup, the negotiations continued in America. Sebastian Stafford-Bloor, New York Times, 10 July 2025 That action triggers an automatic 10-day cooling-off period, which is required under state law. Mary Divine, Twin Cities, 27 June 2025 Require 24-hour cooling-off periods before adding tools or processes. Jodie Cook, Forbes.com, 26 June 2025 Shortly after, a three-month cooling-off period was instituted wherein those duties were reduced to 30 percent. Kate Nishimura, Sourcing Journal, 3 Sep. 2019

Word History

First Known Use

1926, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of cooling-off was in 1926

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Cite this Entry

“Cooling-off.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/cooling-off. Accessed 10 Sep. 2025.

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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