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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of layoff
Howard Blume, Los Angeles Times, 22 Jan. 2026
Zak Kuhr, who will spearhead the Patriots’ defensive effort against Stidham this Sunday, said the quarterback’s years-long layoff was more the result of situation than talent.
—Zack Cox, Boston Herald, 22 Jan. 2026
Sarah Moreno, Miami Herald, 23 Oct. 2025
The company has been forced to jack up prices and lay off workers.
—Matt Egan, CNN Money, 14 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for layoff
Noun
And there is the likelihood of some layoffs, but no number was released.
—Howard Blume, Los Angeles Times, 22 Jan. 2026
Zak Kuhr, who will spearhead the Patriots’ defensive effort against Stidham this Sunday, said the quarterback’s years-long layoff was more the result of situation than talent.
—Zack Cox, Boston Herald, 22 Jan. 2026
Verb
In her conversations with small-business owners, Higgins learned that some have been forced to reduce staff or lay off employees because several of their workers were TPS beneficiaries or were in the process of regularizing their paperwork.
—Sarah Moreno, Miami Herald, 23 Oct. 2025
The company has been forced to jack up prices and lay off workers.
—Matt Egan, CNN Money, 14 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for layoff
Recent Examples of Synonyms for layoff
Noun
-
The 7th Circuit later granted an emergency stay of Ellis’ injunctive relief pending appeal, a process that will also be shelved once the dismissal is approved.—
Jason Meisner,
Chicago Tribune,
23 Jan. 2026
-
School cancellations No schools have reported closures or early dismissal as of Friday morning.—
Jordan Green,
Memphis Commercial Appeal,
23 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
Just about every corner of North America has experienced a super-sized helping of continentality in this winter’s weather.—
Paul Cappiello,
Louisville Courier Journal,
9 Jan. 2026
-
Caslon Cashmere Crewneck Sweater At $77, this sweater proves that adding cashmere to your winter wardrobe isn’t the intimidating investment it’s made out to be.—
Izzy Baskette,
PEOPLE,
9 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
If this is your habit, be sure to stop adding fertilizer in the fall when plant growth begins to slow.—
Alexandra Jones,
The Spruce,
21 Jan. 2026
-
When boat rentals stop for the winter, plan to take a walk around the basin instead of paddling on it for equally impressive views.—
Cailey Rizzo,
Travel + Leisure,
21 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
Tony Dungy, especially like Tony Dungy himself, to say that (expressing shock at John Harbaugh’s firing).—
Elliott Teaford,
Oc Register,
8 Jan. 2026
-
So the firings of Cleveland Browns head coach Kevin Stefanski and the Ravens’ Harbaugh have injected some juice into a Giants search that previously threatened to cast as wide and arbitrary a net as last year’s ridiculous Jets process.—
Pat Leonard,
New York Daily News,
7 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
Thornton ended the unsightly stretch with a late bucket for a 31-28 lead at the break.—
Andy Greder,
Twin Cities,
21 Jan. 2026
-
Many Nordic investors and founders annually travel to Copenhagen for the first startup event after the summer break.—
Melinda Elmborg,
Forbes.com,
21 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
In recent years, Blackhawk Bar & Grille and Century Theaters ceased operations at Blackhawk Plaza, which removed significant anchors from the center.—
George Avalos,
Mercury News,
12 Jan. 2026
-
At that point, the issue ceased to be solely about Maduro and became about precedent.—
Richard Kiy,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
12 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
The furlough affects about 40% of the 406 employees who work at the western Massachusetts facility, where partially assembled car shells shipped from China are outfitted for service on the Red and Orange Lines.—
State House News Service,
Boston Herald,
21 Jan. 2026
-
Russian data show unpaid wages nearly tripled in October from a year ago to more than $27 million, with furloughs and shorter workweeks becoming more common.—
Jason Ma,
Fortune,
18 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
The company says this approach can support sustainability goals by reducing inefficiencies tied to excess vehicles, downtime, and energy use.—
Neetika Walter,
Interesting Engineering,
10 Jan. 2026
-
Matchmaking will be disabled 30 minutes before downtime begins.—
Robbie Farias,
Austin American Statesman,
9 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Layoff.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/layoff. Accessed 25 Jan. 2026.
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