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
Employees were distraught over cuts and layoffs, while the company's franchised retailers were livid about Stellantis' sales and market share losses under Tavares. Michael Wayland, CNBC, 23 June 2025 In a period of mass layoffs and company restructuring, the purchasing power of consumers is needed now more than ever. Taylor Crumpton, Essence, 23 June 2025
Verb
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is rehiring about 460 employees who had previously been laid off, according to an email notice reviewed by The Hill. Nathaniel Weixel, The Hill, 12 June 2025 Many of the airlines’ employees were also laid off. David Matthews, New York Daily News, 11 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for layoff
Recent Examples of Synonyms for layoff
Noun
  • But the main disagreement with them is not in their correct dismissal of deregulation as the cause of the carnage, but in their ongoing support of government intervention, including bailouts.
    John Tamny, Forbes.com, 18 June 2025
  • The union representing most of the agency’s employees sued, winning a preliminary injunction to halt the dismissals.
    Benjamin Wallace-Wells, New Yorker, 16 June 2025
Noun
  • The winter transfer window opens on Thursday, January 1, and closes on Monday, February 2.
    Jessica Hopkins, New York Times, 18 June 2025
  • In other words, Rockefeller quite literally lit up formerly dark nights and brought heat to cold winters at prices that enabled greater and greater usage among common people.
    John Tamny, Forbes.com, 18 June 2025
Verb
  • California lawmakers are looking to stop local police officers and federal agents from wearing face masks or coverings while carrying out operations in the state.
    Billal Rahman Dan Gooding, MSNBC Newsweek, 17 June 2025
  • In 2012, the Premier League stopped awarding bottles of Champagne along with man of the match awards, out of respect for the religious beliefs of some players.
    Carl Anka, New York Times, 17 June 2025
Noun
  • In a new interview with i Paper, the legendary guitarist and songwriter opened up about the chaotic sequence of events earlier this year involving Starkey’s firing, rehiring and eventual departure.
    Mitchell Peters, Billboard, 22 June 2025
  • The effort to give the president more direct control over the hiring and firing of civil servants is broadly opposed.
    Steven Kull, Twin Cities, 21 June 2025
Noun
  • Aaron Nola is out until at least after the All-Star break; the earliest he can be activated is July 18.
    Matt Gelb, New York Times, 22 June 2025
  • While the Padres have acknowledged that King’s injury will keep him out through at least the All-Star break, King is confident that more good days will stack up before too long.
    Jeff Sanders, San Diego Union-Tribune, 21 June 2025
Verb
  • Seven of the health facilities that Save the Children had supported in the region have fully closed, and 20 more have partly ceased operations.
    Charlie Warzel, The Atlantic, 24 June 2025
  • In 2021, Iran revealed its plan for taking enrichment from 20% to 60%, and soon afterward ceased to provide any further details on its fuel-making program.
    Scott Montgomery, Forbes.com, 23 June 2025
Noun
  • During an interview with a Courant reporter in 2000, Meade denied killing Rayner and blamed state police inquiries for his furloughs being taken away, according to reports.
    Justin Muszynski, Hartford Courant, 22 June 2025
  • How To Support Affected Staff During Restructuring During furloughs or layoffs, leaders must foster open communication and provide reassurance to ensure employees still feel valued and supported.
    Tony Butler-Sims, Forbes.com, 20 June 2025
Noun
  • The approach reinforces Ecolab’s commitment to delivering measurable impact, whether through water conservation, energy efficiency or operational downtime.
    Peter High, Forbes.com, 19 June 2025
  • During these voyages, which tended to include a lot of downtime, White might have told the other crew members his story.
    Ellen Wexler, Smithsonian Magazine, 18 June 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Layoff.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/layoff. Accessed 30 Jun. 2025.

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