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
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Examples Sentences
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Recent Examples of layoff
Cnn.com Wire Service, The Mercury News, 7 Jan. 2025
Ordinary Americans also work for league media arms such as the NFL Network, which last year conducted layoffs, or their partners, including regional sports networks that are struggling to keep pace.
—Michael McCann, Sportico.com, 6 Jan. 2025
Jessica Goodheart, USA TODAY, 27 Dec. 2024
In her late 30s, when Robbins was pregnant with her third child, her husband, Chris, was laid off from his tech job.
—Catherine Pearson, New York Times, 24 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for layoff 
Noun
When Will Lewis, the Post’s publisher and chief executive, was named to the top job in November 2023, the storied paper was already reeling from the layoffs, readership decline, and high expenses that have hounded the entire industry.
—Cnn.com Wire Service, The Mercury News, 7 Jan. 2025
Ordinary Americans also work for league media arms such as the NFL Network, which last year conducted layoffs, or their partners, including regional sports networks that are struggling to keep pace.
—Michael McCann, Sportico.com, 6 Jan. 2025
Verb
Right before Christmas, Erickson was laid off, according to Jursak, who related her memories of Erickson to Barbara Davidson, the photojournalist who documented her eviction for Capital & Main.
—Jessica Goodheart, USA TODAY, 27 Dec. 2024
In her late 30s, when Robbins was pregnant with her third child, her husband, Chris, was laid off from his tech job.
—Catherine Pearson, New York Times, 24 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for layoff
Recent Examples of Synonyms for layoff
Noun
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The lawsuits are likely destined for dismissal but, by Trump’s thinking, that doesn’t matter.Winston Cho, The Hollywood Reporter, 31 Dec. 2024
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The dismissal of protests puts Griffin’s route only through appeals in the courts.Alan Wooten | The Center Square, Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government, 21 Dec. 2024
Noun
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What To Know At the time of writing, there are a total of eight states under winter storm warnings, including Colorado, West Virginia, Wyoming, Pennsylvania, Vermont, New York, Maryland and Virginia.Paul Du Quenoy, Newsweek, 1 Jan. 2025
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Every winter, legions zoom up from Southern California for winter sports at Mammoth Mountain (and many more come in other seasons for hiking, fishing and mountain biking).Christopher Reynolds, Los Angeles Times, 1 Jan. 2025
Verb
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One thing to note: Don’t expect to have your steak cooked well done, Jess & Jim’s scale stops at medium well.Tara Massouleh McCay, Southern Living, 31 Dec. 2024
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With those factors added together, there was little to stop the tornado (at that point a waterspout) from becoming a monster.Matthew Cappucci The Washington Post, arkansasonline.com, 31 Dec. 2024
Noun
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Neither the briefing from Chief Press nor his personal knowledge of Olea’s past firing dissuaded Hofferberth from approving a permit for Olea in 2013 — and reissuing it in 2014, in effect giving Olea the village’s stamp of approval.Ana Claudia Chacin, Miami Herald, 2 Jan. 2025
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On Wednesday, crews successfully conducted firing operations along the eastern perimeter of the fire, according to Tonto National Forest.Olivia Rose, The Arizona Republic, 2 Jan. 2025
Noun
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Detroit had numbers on the break, and anyone who has watched the team consistently knew Cunningham might throw a lob to Jalen Duren for a flush.Hunter Patterson, The Athletic, 5 Jan. 2025
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Missouri kept the deficit to 12 points at the break, when Auburn led 45-33.Kansas City Star, Kansas City Star, 5 Jan. 2025
Verb
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Much to the lament of American enthusiasts, Mercedes ceased production of the E 63 S wagon last year, which has helped to keep values high.Christian Gilbertsen, Robb Report, 8 Jan. 2025
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Defibrillators can work when the heart’s rhythm is haywire, but not when the heart has ceased operations.Martin McKenzie-Murray, SPIN, 7 Jan. 2025
Noun
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If the bill somehow does not pass before a midnight deadline, the government will shut down, putting federal employees on unpaid furlough and potentially impeding the function of numerous government departments and programs just before Christmas.Gord Magill, Newsweek, 21 Dec. 2024
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Military: Active-duty military personnel stay on the job, though about half of Pentagon civilian employees may face furloughs National Nuclear Security Administration: The agency remains operational.Brandi D. Addison, Austin American-Statesman, 20 Dec. 2024
Noun
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For your downtime Going out 🥗 In town for the Rose Parade?Defne Karabatur, Los Angeles Times, 30 Dec. 2024
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Encourage them to pack a book or download movies and games for entertainment during downtime. 5.Judy Koutsky, Forbes, 30 Dec. 2024
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Cite this Entry
“Layoff.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/layoff. Accessed 15 Jan. 2025.
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