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
Meanwhile, the threat of layoffs looms for many government workers.
—
The Editors, The Atlantic, 4 Oct. 2025
Vought, who helped write the policy blueprint known as Project 2025, is playing a major role during the shutdown, including on decisions over whether there are mass layoffs of federal employees instead of furloughs and what funding is cut and what is allowed to flow.
—Sarah D. Wire, USA Today, 3 Oct. 2025
The White House has proposed layoffs to the federal workforce in response to a prolonged shutdown, which has drawn a lawsuit from various unions representing federal workers.
—Steve Inskeep, NPR, 3 Oct. 2025
But employers are still reluctant to part with workers given the lessons from the Covid pandemic, when a rash of layoffs in the early stages was followed by the monumental task of refilling those jobs.
—Jeff Cox, CNBC, 3 Oct. 2025
Leavitt, however, dodged questions if the federal layoffs could happen after the shutdown ends.
—Ivan Pereira, ABC News, 3 Oct. 2025
Thousands of federal workers are bracing for layoffs after the White House threatened mass firings if an agreement isn’t reached to avoid a government shutdown.
—Rebecca Schneid, Time, 28 Sep. 2025
Fresh data revealed jobless claims far under expectations — suggesting layoffs remain limited and the labor market is holding firm despite Fed worries.
—Benzinga, Freep.com, 27 Sep. 2025
The closures – and layoffs of 900 corporate employees – are part of a $1 billion restructuring plan.
—Nathaniel Meyersohn, CNN Money, 26 Sep. 2025
The Editors, The Atlantic, 4 Oct. 2025
Vought, who helped write the policy blueprint known as Project 2025, is playing a major role during the shutdown, including on decisions over whether there are mass layoffs of federal employees instead of furloughs and what funding is cut and what is allowed to flow.
—Sarah D. Wire, USA Today, 3 Oct. 2025
The White House has proposed layoffs to the federal workforce in response to a prolonged shutdown, which has drawn a lawsuit from various unions representing federal workers.
—Steve Inskeep, NPR, 3 Oct. 2025
But employers are still reluctant to part with workers given the lessons from the Covid pandemic, when a rash of layoffs in the early stages was followed by the monumental task of refilling those jobs.
—Jeff Cox, CNBC, 3 Oct. 2025
Leavitt, however, dodged questions if the federal layoffs could happen after the shutdown ends.
—Ivan Pereira, ABC News, 3 Oct. 2025
Thousands of federal workers are bracing for layoffs after the White House threatened mass firings if an agreement isn’t reached to avoid a government shutdown.
—Rebecca Schneid, Time, 28 Sep. 2025
Fresh data revealed jobless claims far under expectations — suggesting layoffs remain limited and the labor market is holding firm despite Fed worries.
—Benzinga, Freep.com, 27 Sep. 2025
The closures – and layoffs of 900 corporate employees – are part of a $1 billion restructuring plan.
—Nathaniel Meyersohn, CNN Money, 26 Sep. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for layoffs
Noun
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The Interior Department, for instance, told employees to take home their phones and laptops to keep an eye out of dismissals.—
Philip Elliott,
Time,
1 Oct. 2025
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Finances could bear the early dismissals, too.—
Chris Weatherspoon,
New York Times,
1 Oct. 2025
Noun
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Mowing Cool-Season Grass If your winters are snowy, your grass is likely a cool-season variety, such as Kentucky bluegrass, fine fescue, or perennial ryegrass.—
Megan Hughes,
Better Homes & Gardens,
2 Oct. 2025
-
In areas with mild winters, parsley may survive all season, bringing fresh flavor to cold-weather meals.—
Karen Brewer Grossman,
Southern Living,
2 Oct. 2025
Noun
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In the leadup to the deadline to fund the government this week, the White House directed agencies to prepare for mass firings in the event that Congress couldn’t reach a deal, rather than furloughing those not deemed essential as in past shutdowns.—
Connor Greene,
Time,
3 Oct. 2025
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Of the 55 firings, 18 resulted in the school finding itself in the AP Poll sometime in the following season.—
Noah White,
Miami Herald,
3 Oct. 2025
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
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With over 147,000 federal employees in the state, many face furloughs or unpaid work.—
Amanda Castro,
MSNBC Newsweek,
1 Oct. 2025
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Job cuts and furloughs are mounting.—
Greg Rosalsky,
NPR,
30 Sep. 2025
Noun
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Figuring how to avoid similar lulls in key moments will be another critical offseason task.—
Ben Pickman,
New York Times,
29 Sep. 2025
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The bursts of action punctuate these lulls and sync perfectly with the intro song, Shortchange Hero (by The Heavy).—
G Kirilloff,
Forbes.com,
18 Sep. 2025
Noun
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At this level, the EPA advises sensitive groups to take more breaks and do less intense activities when outside.—
Joe Edwards,
MSNBC Newsweek,
3 Oct. 2025
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The lawsuit claims workers were not paid for pre-shift and post-shift activities, or for work performed during their meal breaks.—
Olivia Evans,
Louisville Courier Journal,
3 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Layoffs.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/layoffs. Accessed 6 Oct. 2025.
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