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
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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
as in to stop
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
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of layoff
Jennifer Palmer, Oklahoma Watch, 9 Jan. 2026
Some council members have expressed concern about assuming the expense as the city works to reduce budget deficits after closing a $1 billion shortfall and avoiding 1,600 layoffs.
—City News Service, Daily News, 9 Jan. 2026
Matt Egan, CNN Money, 14 Oct. 2025
Managers generally lay off workers for objective and subjective reasons, said Alan Guarino, vice chairman of CEO and board services at Korn Ferry.
—Greg Iacurci, CNBC, 16 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for layoff
Noun
Their concerns included the staff layoffs, the near budget shortfall in 2025, and changes to school operations.
—Jennifer Palmer, Oklahoma Watch, 9 Jan. 2026
Some council members have expressed concern about assuming the expense as the city works to reduce budget deficits after closing a $1 billion shortfall and avoiding 1,600 layoffs.
—City News Service, Daily News, 9 Jan. 2026
Verb
The company has been forced to jack up prices and lay off workers.
—Matt Egan, CNN Money, 14 Oct. 2025
Managers generally lay off workers for objective and subjective reasons, said Alan Guarino, vice chairman of CEO and board services at Korn Ferry.
—Greg Iacurci, CNBC, 16 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for layoff
Recent Examples of Synonyms for layoff
Noun
-
Four Democratic-Farm-Labor Party lawmakers who chair state Senate education committees cited Minneapolis Public Schools canceling classes and extracurricular activities last week after federal agents reportedly clashed with students and staff during Roosevelt High School’s dismissal on Wednesday.—
Michael Loria,
USA Today,
11 Jan. 2026
-
Prosecutors noted that after receiving the money, the defendants filed loan forgiveness applications containing further inaccuracies, which led to the dismissal of some debt.—
Chase Jordan
January 10,
Charlotte Observer,
10 Jan. 2026
Noun
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Just about every corner of North America has experienced a super-sized helping of continentality in this winter’s weather.—
Paul Cappiello,
Louisville Courier Journal,
9 Jan. 2026
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Caslon Cashmere Crewneck Sweater At $77, this sweater proves that adding cashmere to your winter wardrobe isn’t the intimidating investment it’s made out to be.—
Izzy Baskette,
PEOPLE,
9 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Several vehicles that stopped behind her appear to belong to federal agents, based on activity observed in other videos.—
Danya Gainor,
CNN Money,
12 Jan. 2026
-
The prioritization for that new safety should probably be in coverage skills, because Moehrig and Ransom are known more for their run-stopping and tackling prowesses.—
Mike Kaye
January 12,
Charlotte Observer,
12 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
Tony Dungy, especially like Tony Dungy himself, to say that (expressing shock at John Harbaugh’s firing).—
Elliott Teaford,
Oc Register,
8 Jan. 2026
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So the firings of Cleveland Browns head coach Kevin Stefanski and the Ravens’ Harbaugh have injected some juice into a Giants search that previously threatened to cast as wide and arbitrary a net as last year’s ridiculous Jets process.—
Pat Leonard,
New York Daily News,
7 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
Minnesota led 71-54 at the halftime break.—
Jason Anderson,
Sacbee.com,
10 Nov. 2025
-
Hoover settled down as the game wore on and led TCU on a scoring drive after the halftime break.—
Steven Johnson,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
9 Nov. 2025
Verb
-
From December through February, shuttle service largely ceases (outside of select days and weekends; check shuttle schedules for up-to-date details).—
Stephanie Vermillion,
Travel + Leisure,
9 Nov. 2025
-
Meanwhile, over in Britain, a vibrant antiwar movement brought on motion after motion in Parliament to cease fire and end all offensive operations against the rebels.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
7 Nov. 2025
Noun
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Twelve days into the disruption, local businesses have been forced to lay off or furlough staff and significantly reduce employees’ hours.—
Tiney Ricciardi,
Denver Post,
8 Jan. 2026
-
Federal lawmakers are trying to avoid another closure that would lead to furloughs of thousands of federal workers and a pause in some government operations.—
Lisa Hagen,
Hartford Courant,
6 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
The Emcee During downtime, Bill Sindelar was tasked with emcee duties and kept spirits high.—
Haley Kluge,
Variety,
7 Nov. 2025
-
By day there are parades, rat control events, and grand juries to attend, but night is when the mayor comes alive, at crypto coin launch events, sweaty outer borough raves sponsored by a new credit card, and downtime at his pad in Fort Lee.—
James Folta,
Literary Hub,
6 Nov. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Layoff.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/layoff. Accessed 12 Jan. 2026.
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