as in winter
a period of often involuntary inactivity or idleness
a knee operation that could result in months of downtime for the ski racer
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Recent Examples of downtime
The company says the trucks set an industry record by completing 200 battery swaps in a single day, highlighting the potential of its autonomous, battery-swapping technology to increase productivity and minimize downtime in large-scale mining operations.
—
Bojan Stojkovski, Interesting Engineering, 8 Feb. 2026
And now, speaking from a hotel in Seattle in early December in their downtime on tour, the final six — now known as Katseye — are … breaking into peals of laughter remembering how doggedly two of them recently hunted for dessert at midnight after a show in San Francisco.
—Ashley Fetters Maloy, Washington Post, 7 Feb. 2026
Some active seniors want downtime between adventures; others have health or mobility considerations or are traveling with less-active companions.
—Kathy Boardman, USA Today, 7 Feb. 2026
As more EVs flood the market—even during this downtime of sorts—things get progressively more interesting in this segment.
—Cyril Soliman, The Drive, 5 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for downtime
Bojan Stojkovski, Interesting Engineering, 8 Feb. 2026
And now, speaking from a hotel in Seattle in early December in their downtime on tour, the final six — now known as Katseye — are … breaking into peals of laughter remembering how doggedly two of them recently hunted for dessert at midnight after a show in San Francisco.
—Ashley Fetters Maloy, Washington Post, 7 Feb. 2026
Some active seniors want downtime between adventures; others have health or mobility considerations or are traveling with less-active companions.
—Kathy Boardman, USA Today, 7 Feb. 2026
As more EVs flood the market—even during this downtime of sorts—things get progressively more interesting in this segment.
—Cyril Soliman, The Drive, 5 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for downtime
Recent Examples of Synonyms for downtime
Noun
-
Here, interior designers share how to use lighting to beat mid-winter blues, which can be as simple as switching out a light bulb.—
Shagun Khare,
The Spruce,
15 Feb. 2026
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Boston was running nearly 7 degrees Fahrenheit below average for February last week, and the city was on pace for its coldest winter in more than a decade.—
Dallas Morning News,
Dallas Morning News,
15 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
With a loss Wednesday night to the New Orleans Pelicans and the middling middle ground will prove all too real, with the Heat entering that game at 28-27, with an eight-day All-Star break to follow.—
Ira Winderman,
Sun Sentinel,
10 Feb. 2026
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Milwaukee had made 40% of their 3-point attempts before the break and held the Magic to just 19% from distance.—
Jason Beede,
The Orlando Sentinel,
10 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Downtime.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/downtime. Accessed 17 Feb. 2026.
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