as in stops
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
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Recent Examples of Synonyms for lays off
Verb
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The team that stops the run and mitigates mistakes will win this one.—
Scott Fowler,
Charlotte Observer,
10 Jan. 2026 -
The group stops to talk to one who took a fall while riding his bike in his neighborhood.—
Raven Brunner,
PEOPLE,
9 Jan. 2026
Verb
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From December through February, shuttle service largely ceases (outside of select days and weekends; check shuttle schedules for up-to-date details).—
Stephanie Vermillion,
Travel + Leisure,
9 Nov. 2025
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Plenty of literary audio has been made in the more than eight years since S-Town, but the writer language used to talk about podcasting ceases to exist outside the editing room.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
7 Nov. 2025
Verb
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If the state ends HHAP, the county hopes to find other sources of revenue to fund the shelters and other homeless programs, either from the general fund or elsewhere, said Kim Nava, a county spokesperson.—
Theresa Clift,
Sacbee.com,
10 Jan. 2026
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Other signs of unseasoned wood are bark that is tightly attached and a wet, fresh-looking center with lighter and drier looking wood near the edges or ends.—
Tim Johnson,
Chicago Tribune,
10 Jan. 2026
Verb
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The order temporarily halts enforcement of the law on cruise ships while the appeals process moves forward, her email noted.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
1 Jan. 2026
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Judge halts end of deportation protections for South Sudanese.—
Rebecca Morin,
USA Today,
30 Dec. 2025
Verb
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Many girls and women have turned to online education being offered by organizations in other countries, but the nationwide blackout now cuts off their access to that, too.—
Chantelle Lee,
Time,
30 Sep. 2025
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For males, this means a vasectomy, which is a surgical procedure that cuts off the supply of sperm to the semen.—
Kelly Burch Published,
Verywell Health,
15 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Mahama breaks off in exasperation.—
Charlie Campbell,
Time,
30 Oct. 2025
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The scene where ‘80s teen Marty McFly borrows a scooter from a bewildered ‘50s kid and breaks off the handles to make a skateboard is one of the film’s most iconic moments.—
Charlotte Observer,
Charlotte Observer,
21 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Grant leads his mother down the steps as Rose shuts off the light.—
Carly Tagen-Dye,
PEOPLE,
4 Nov. 2025
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The keyboard also comes with a pairable mouse that automatically shuts off the user’s webcam when it’s placed on an accompanying dock.—
Mack DeGeurin,
Popular Science,
9 Oct. 2025
Verb
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The graying halls of Congress don’t usually evoke images of youthful ambition, but a record number of lawmakers are calling it quits in 2026.—
Greg Bluestein,
AJC.com,
9 Jan. 2026
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Stranger Things' fifth and final season recently concluded in December 2025, and saw the longstanding love interests Nancy and Jonathan mutually decide to call it quits.—
Rachel Raposas,
PEOPLE,
9 Jan. 2026
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Cite this Entry
“Lays off.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/lays%20off. Accessed 11 Jan. 2026.
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