1
as in dismissals
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 winters
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
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of layoffs
There are other factors that contribute to layoffs aside from new technology, like overhiring, the state of the economy and a shift in corporate strategy.
—
Lisa Eadicicco, CNN Money, 31 Jan. 2026
The scope of the crisis more clearly entered the public eye in September 2023 — one month after CapRadio first announced its staff layoffs — when the California State University system released an audit that found widespread financial mismanagement by the nonprofit.
—Ishani Desai, Sacbee.com, 30 Jan. 2026
Factors Contributing To ‘Layoff Fatigue’ Fueled by cost cutting and AI, employers cut more than 150,000 jobs last October--the largest wave of layoffs in 22 years.
—Bryan Robinson, Forbes.com, 30 Jan. 2026
The business side experienced layoffs a year ago.
—David Folkenflik, NPR, 30 Jan. 2026
Another investor marked down the company’s value by a staggering 88%, and sales started slowing down while the brand dealt with executive turnover and layoffs.
—Kimberly Wilson, Essence, 30 Jan. 2026
Panamanian President Jose Raul Mulino said on Friday that ports in the country will continue operating without disruption and that there would not be any layoffs.
—Emily Hallas, The Washington Examiner, 30 Jan. 2026
The layoffs hit more than 1,000 employees and focused heavily on those who were working on the metaverse, digital spaces where people socialize, work, learn and pursue other online activities.
—Queenie Wong, Los Angeles Times, 23 Jan. 2026
The district has been reluctant to close school sites or issue layoffs to address its financial woes, despite pressure from former superintendent Johnson-Trammell and senior staff.
—Molly Gibbs, Mercury News, 22 Jan. 2026
Lisa Eadicicco, CNN Money, 31 Jan. 2026
The scope of the crisis more clearly entered the public eye in September 2023 — one month after CapRadio first announced its staff layoffs — when the California State University system released an audit that found widespread financial mismanagement by the nonprofit.
—Ishani Desai, Sacbee.com, 30 Jan. 2026
Factors Contributing To ‘Layoff Fatigue’ Fueled by cost cutting and AI, employers cut more than 150,000 jobs last October--the largest wave of layoffs in 22 years.
—Bryan Robinson, Forbes.com, 30 Jan. 2026
The business side experienced layoffs a year ago.
—David Folkenflik, NPR, 30 Jan. 2026
Another investor marked down the company’s value by a staggering 88%, and sales started slowing down while the brand dealt with executive turnover and layoffs.
—Kimberly Wilson, Essence, 30 Jan. 2026
Panamanian President Jose Raul Mulino said on Friday that ports in the country will continue operating without disruption and that there would not be any layoffs.
—Emily Hallas, The Washington Examiner, 30 Jan. 2026
The layoffs hit more than 1,000 employees and focused heavily on those who were working on the metaverse, digital spaces where people socialize, work, learn and pursue other online activities.
—Queenie Wong, Los Angeles Times, 23 Jan. 2026
The district has been reluctant to close school sites or issue layoffs to address its financial woes, despite pressure from former superintendent Johnson-Trammell and senior staff.
—Molly Gibbs, Mercury News, 22 Jan. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for layoffs
Noun
-
The prior pattern of dismissals had depleted the credibility stock below the threshold where policy shifts alone could restore confidence.—
Güney Yıldız,
Forbes.com,
30 Jan. 2026
-
Further dismissals will include 12 members of custodial staff, 16 lunch aides, a warehouseman, a safety and security monitor, a director of communications and a discipline secretary.—
Ilana Arougheti,
Kansas City Star,
16 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
On average, climate change is leading to shorter and milder winters.—
Simmone Shah,
Time,
26 Jan. 2026
-
Although winters here in the South are generally mild, at times, the forecast can and will shift.—
Rebecca Jones,
Southern Living,
25 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
Do mass firings create an atmosphere of fear that impacts voting?—
Anne Applebaum,
The Atlantic,
30 Jan. 2026
-
None of these coaches’ interviews, updates and hirings or firings happen in a vacuum.—
Pat Leonard,
New York Daily News,
29 Jan. 2026
Noun
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The average response time for phone calls dropped to 6 minutes from 30 minutes in the prior fiscal year; field office wait times decreased to 23 minutes; and removal of online service downtimes has benefited an additional 125,000 users in a single week, according to the agency's findings.—
Suzanne Blake,
MSNBC Newsweek,
4 Aug. 2025
Noun
-
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
-
The dip in business resulted in widespread layoffs and furloughs in many sectors, such as lodging and hospitality.—
Tiney Ricciardi,
Denver Post,
8 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
Every squad is going to go through lulls in the conference schedule, other than perhaps UCLA.—
Sabreena Merchant,
New York Times,
16 Jan. 2026
-
The offense suffered some lulls in his absence, but second-year wide receiver Ryan Flournoy was able to pick up the production vacated by Lamb in the second half by finishing with 115 yards and one touchdown on nine receptions.—
Nick Harris,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
5 Dec. 2025
Noun
-
Two years later came a series of fortunate breaks.—
Sebastian Stafford-Bloor,
New York Times,
31 Jan. 2026
-
The Yum Brands restaurant chain is not expected to appear in ad breaks during pre-game programming on NBC, according to two people familiar with the matter.—
Brian Steinberg,
Variety,
30 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Layoffs.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/layoffs. Accessed 2 Feb. 2026.
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