Synonyms of layoff

layoff 1 of 2

noun

ˈlā-ˌȯf 

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

• dismissal
• firing
• furlough
• ax
• discharge
• redundancy
• downsizing
• closing
• sack
• shutdown
• boot
• pink slip
• shakeout
• heave-ho
• bird
• bum's rush
• shake-up

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• reemployment
• recall
• callback
• rehiring
• rehire

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

• winter
• break
• downtime
• lull
• time-out
• interruption
• suspension
• pause
• breath
• recess
• breather
• suspense
• abeyance
• latency
• dormancy
• doldrums
• quiescence

lay off

2 of 2

verb

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

• stop
• cease
• end
• halt
• cut off
• shut off
• quit
• cut out
• leave off
• break off
• desist (from)
• have done with
• delay
• pack (up or in)
• break up
• knock off
• drop
• suspend
• discontinue
• can
• give over
• conclude
• finish
• break
• put the kibosh on
• close (down)
• check
• hold back
• complete
• turn back
• block
• clamp down
• pause
• rein (in)
• ruin
• stem
• hinder
• stay
• impede
• hold
• deactivate
• dam
• suppress
• obstruct
• detain
• blockade
• brake
• abort
• destroy
• stamp
• scuttle
• arrest
• call
• dissolve
• stunt
• squelch
• abolish
• squash
• kill
• demolish
• snuff
• annul
• kibosh
• stanch

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• carry on
• continue
• run on
• keep up
• proceed
• advance
• progress
• follow through (with)
• drive
• stir
• propel
• actuate
• impel

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of layoff

Noun

And layoffs throughout 2025 and 2026 suggest AI is affecting payrolls. —Lisa Eadicicco, CNN Money, 28 May 2026

Framing a layoff as a matter of adjusting resources—versus stripping a person of their livelihood—can make that tough call easier to stomach. —Claire Zillman, Fortune, 28 May 2026

Verb

In a controversial move, the school board opted to issue lay off notices for every member of the district office’s central staff — including the district’s top leader, Cancy McArn. —Jennah Pendleton, Sacbee.com, 8 Apr. 2026

Walmart will close its Matteson fulfillment center and lay off 111 employees by May 29, the company said in a March 27 filing with the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity. —Addison Wright, Chicago Tribune, 3 Apr. 2026