as in stopped
to bring (as an action or operation) to an immediate end
you need to lay off eating those jelly doughnuts, or you'll end up looking like one
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Recent Examples of Synonyms for laid off
Verb
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Ross, who was one of several federal agents involved in the arrest, initially drew his service weapon, but holstered the gun after Muñoz-Guatemala stopped his car and raised his hands, according to the affidavit.—
Allison Gordon,
CNN Money,
9 Jan. 2026 -
Braddy stopped the car, got Quantisha back inside, and put Shandelle in the trunk, before driving for 30 to 45 minutes.—
Nicole Acosta,
PEOPLE,
9 Jan. 2026
Verb
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In other words, the property tax wars may have ceased, but the dust still hasn’t settled.—
Nick Coltrain,
Denver Post,
6 Jan. 2026
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The primary means of transportation in Caracas, the metro, was out of service after the attack, while buses also ceased operation, El Spectator reported.—
Brady Knox,
The Washington Examiner,
4 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Just weeks after the fun ended, Mosley must convince boosters, donors and fans that 2025 doesn’t have to be a one-off.—
Mac Engel
January 9,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
9 Jan. 2026
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The Royals are one of nine MLB teams that have ended deals with Main Street Sports this week.—
Pete Grathoff,
Kansas City Star,
9 Jan. 2026
Verb
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De Blasio halted the successful Bloomberg initiatives and wasted hundreds of millions of dollars on efforts to improve failing schools rather than replacing them.—
Ray Domanico,
Washington Post,
9 Jan. 2026
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Between March 2020 and September 2023, loan repayments were halted, offering borrowers a period of relief as the pandemic caused economic challenges, leaving many without income and job loss.—
Tevon Blair,
Essence,
9 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Placer County, which estimates that 16,000 residents could lose health care coverage by 2028, quit operating its own clinics nearly a decade ago.—
KFF Health News,
Oc Register,
6 Jan. 2026
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After quitting acting, Kibrick attended the University of Southern California and worked in real estate development.—
Wesley Stenzel,
Entertainment Weekly,
6 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Greater Cincinnati Water Works will not shut off water for customers who don't pay their bills – if those customers have been furloughed from federal jobs or denied SNAP benefits.—
Patricia Gallagher Newberry,
Cincinnati Enquirer,
7 Nov. 2025
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Liz Marx, director of the Pennsylvania Utility Law Project, worries about families whose utility service is currently shut off who are counting on LIHEAP to restore services.—
NPR,
NPR,
6 Nov. 2025
Verb
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The would-be victim followed the suspect after their confrontation initially broke off, at which point the suspect allegedly turned and stabbed at the victim.—
Greg Norman , Anders Hagstrom,
FOXNews.com,
18 Dec. 2025
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Soon after, Davis broke off his engagement to Canadian dancer Joan Stuart.—
Mike Barnes,
HollywoodReporter,
18 Dec. 2025
Verb
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Climate Central intends to expand its billion-dollar database in the coming years, picking up where NOAA left off and potentially widening the data to incorporate smaller dollar scales, among other advances.—
Andrew Freedman,
CNN Money,
8 Jan. 2026
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But some notable talent in the running among other awards groups were left off, and a few names made surprising appearances on the list.—
Jack Smart,
PEOPLE,
7 Jan. 2026
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Cite this Entry
“Laid off.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/laid%20off. Accessed 10 Jan. 2026.
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