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
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
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
Ben Croll, Variety, 7 Nov. 2025
The staffing reductions extend what has turned out to be a difficult two weeks for Bay Area tech workers, who are collectively facing the loss of several hundred jobs in the region as a result of recent layoff disclosures by employers.
—George Avalos, Mercury News, 7 Nov. 2025
Greg Iacurci, CNBC, 16 Sep. 2025
When those dollars disappear, organizations must decide whether to cut programs, lay off staff, or close.
—Jason Ma, Fortune, 7 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for layoff
Noun
The unexpected collapse of Technicolor triggered layoffs and production disruptions, while a broader post-pandemic slowdown has seen commissions drop nearly 30%.
—Ben Croll, Variety, 7 Nov. 2025
The staffing reductions extend what has turned out to be a difficult two weeks for Bay Area tech workers, who are collectively facing the loss of several hundred jobs in the region as a result of recent layoff disclosures by employers.
—George Avalos, Mercury News, 7 Nov. 2025
Verb
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
When those dollars disappear, organizations must decide whether to cut programs, lay off staff, or close.
—Jason Ma, Fortune, 7 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for layoff
Recent Examples of Synonyms for layoff
Noun
-
Parents said they were told the dismissal was not the result of criminal wrongdoing or abuse allegations.—
Matthew Adams,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
7 Nov. 2025
-
That immediate dismissal stirred up a new determination within the aspiring firefighter.—
Zoey Lyttle,
PEOPLE,
6 Nov. 2025
Noun
-
The New York Mets missed the postseason last year and have some big decisions to make this winter.—
Aaliyan Mohammed,
MSNBC Newsweek,
6 Nov. 2025
-
Finding the perfect dress to match her winter wedding was important to her to honor the couple’s mountain winter wedding in Sun Valley, Idaho.—
Angel Saunders,
PEOPLE,
5 Nov. 2025
Verb
-
On third-and-1 with seven seconds left, Schakel took the snap and tried to spike the ball, which would have stopped the clock and given his team one final play to go for the win.—
Alex Valdes,
New York Times,
9 Nov. 2025
-
Among those who do use an advisor, 26% are considering switching and 18% may stop using an advisor altogether.—
Robert Frank,
CNBC,
8 Nov. 2025
Noun
-
He had been committed to the Nittany Lions since April 22 but made the move following Penn State’s firing of coach James Franklin earlier this season.—
Jordan McPherson,
Miami Herald,
11 Nov. 2025
-
Prior to her firing, Suda’s compensation and expenses had been the subjects of an investigation initiated by the museum board.—
News Desk,
Artforum,
11 Nov. 2025
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
-
In Disillusioned, published last year, the journalist Benjamin Herold tracks how the school district in his middle-class Pennsylvania suburb of Penn Hills ended up $172 million in debt, leading to mass furloughs, service reductions, and, inevitably, higher property taxes.—
Michael Waters,
The Atlantic,
6 Nov. 2025
-
That standoff stretched for 35 days, leading to the furlough of more than 350,000 federal workers and forcing 400,000 others to work without pay.—
Katie Wiseman,
IndyStar,
5 Nov. 2025
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 Nov. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share