layoff 1 of 2

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

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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

lay off

2 of 2

verb

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
Noun
Some industry executives noticed the weakening of business travel demand in recent months amid the trade war, volatile markets and mass government layoffs. Melissa Repko,michael Wayland,leslie Josephs, CNBC, 25 Apr. 2025 Threats of economic uncertainty and workplace issues continue to weigh on workers, taking a tremendous toll on their mental health, creating fears of layoffs and a reduction in consumer confidence. Bryan Robinson, Forbes.com, 24 Apr. 2025
Verb
About 12,000 workers have been laid off or resigned since January. Nicholas Creel, MSNBC Newsweek, 18 Apr. 2025 Most of his colleagues and the leadership above him within NIOSH have either been laid off, offered reassignments to other agencies or warned to expect cuts. Faris Tanyos, CBS News, 17 Apr. 2025 See All Example Sentences for layoff
Recent Examples of Synonyms for layoff
Noun
  • The Department of Justice did not return a request for comment May 2 about the dismissal of charges.
    Eduardo Cuevas, USA Today, 3 May 2025
  • After years of back-and-forth in the court system, the U.S. Supreme Court upheld the case’s dismissal in March 2025.
    Alexandra Klass, The Conversation, 2 May 2025
Noun
  • Last Year's Water Levels Because of this winter's lower precipitation for Central and Southern California, some of the state's reservoirs performed better during this time last year.
    Anna Skinner, MSNBC Newsweek, 1 May 2025
  • The department will begin requiring registrations for every consumer-facing charging device next, Wilkinson said, with regulations being drafted now that could take effect this fall or winter.
    Christine Condon, Baltimore Sun, 1 May 2025
Verb
  • Commentary: Is Trump's plan for tariff relief for automakers too late to stop global impact?
    Susan Page, USA Today, 1 May 2025
  • Diabetes insipidus is treated by drinking enough water to stay hydrated, and may also include taking medications or stopping or adjusting certain medications.
    Danielle Weiss, Verywell Health, 30 Apr. 2025
Noun
  • Jacobs said Republican colleagues have shared concerns privately with her about what Trump is doing and pointed out that this week, a Nebraska congressman became the first Republican lawmaker to publicly call for Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth’s firing.
    Kristen Taketa, San Diego Union-Tribune, 23 Apr. 2025
  • The firings came after the officials were placed on administrative leave pending an investigation into the internal leaks at the DOD.
    Josh Hammer, MSNBC Newsweek, 22 Apr. 2025
Noun
  • Travelers will need to show documents with the following in order to get a REAL ID-compliant license or ID, per DHS: Need a break?
    Nathan Diller, USA Today, 24 Apr. 2025
  • Exposure to natural light and fresh air can help regulate your sleep cycle and give your mind a break from screens or daily stressors.
    Lindsay Curtis, Health, 23 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • Without these little guys and their fellow pollinators, our gardens would be devoid of fruit, our flowers would not spread, and many species that rely on them would cease to exist.
    Katie Akin, Southern Living, 26 Apr. 2025
  • That shouldn’t be a surprise because the Packers would rather cease to exist as a franchise than draft an offensive lineman who can’t play at least three.
    Matt Schneidman, New York Times, 26 Apr. 2025
Noun
  • Having a clear message, even one that feels polarizing, has served the brand well, as has a prudent application of furlough, to the tune of one week every two months, of 15 percent of its workforce in a bid to keep talents in the company while saving costs.
    Lily Templeton, Footwear News, 17 Apr. 2025
  • Failure to agree on a deal by Friday at midnight would have resulted in federal workers going on furlough and not receiving pay, while nonessential government functions would have been put on pause.
    Mark Davis, Newsweek, 14 Mar. 2025
Noun
  • These are our best Mother's Day gift ideas to help moms work from home, annotate their books, or dip into the world of gaming in their downtime.
    Adrienne So, Wired News, 1 May 2025
  • The downtime necessary to roll out the update is scheduled to begin at 2 a.m. Eastern time.
    Dan Cody, MSNBC Newsweek, 1 May 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Layoff.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/layoff. Accessed 5 May. 2025.

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