1
2
as in vacation
a period during which the usual routine of school or work is suspended
the couple goes to Florida every January for a month-long recess from the rigors of winter
Synonyms & Similar Words
3
as in pause
a momentary halt in an activity
the judge called for a brief recess so that the witness could regain her composure
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
4
as in hole
a sunken area forming a separate space
decided to camp in a sandy recess where the beach met the forest
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in to suspend
to bring to a formal close for a period of time
the judge recessed the court for lunch
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of recess
Mars King, Twin Cities, 18 Jan. 2026
Following a brief adjournment for a short recess, defense attorney Kathy Nester was observed chatting with Robinson’s parents as Robinson sat quietly at the counsel table.
—Michael Ruiz , Adriana James-Rodil , Stepheny Price, FOXNews.com, 16 Jan. 2026
Beth Warren, Nashville Tennessean, 8 Dec. 2025
Homeowners can choose from tabletop models, freestanding units, or recessed wall installations, many of which feature sleek, contemporary lines.
—Angie Hicks, Boston Herald, 30 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for recess
Noun
Once the project is completed, Westview students will have access to the new facilities for gym class and recess.
—Mars King, Twin Cities, 18 Jan. 2026
Following a brief adjournment for a short recess, defense attorney Kathy Nester was observed chatting with Robinson’s parents as Robinson sat quietly at the counsel table.
—Michael Ruiz , Adriana James-Rodil , Stepheny Price, FOXNews.com, 16 Jan. 2026
Verb
Lucah's second tooth had encroached, blocking the path for his right front tooth, which remains recessed in his gums, his mother said.
—Beth Warren, Nashville Tennessean, 8 Dec. 2025
Homeowners can choose from tabletop models, freestanding units, or recessed wall installations, many of which feature sleek, contemporary lines.
—Angie Hicks, Boston Herald, 30 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for recess
Recent Examples of Synonyms for recess
Noun
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Upon entry, clients are ushered through a tunnel of golden arches that lead to the main hall, where skin diagnostics are made in three separate alcoves.—
Kaleigh Werner,
Footwear News,
23 Dec. 2025
-
Officials aren’t sharing information about the specifics of the site where the remains were stolen, other than to add that the burial ground was likely a sheltered site, such as an alcove or cave.—
Owen Clarke,
Outside,
10 Dec. 2025
Noun
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The days of mapping out a European vacation a year in advance are over.—
Christopher Elliott,
Forbes.com,
24 Jan. 2026
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But their two-day vacation was unexpectedly extended as a major winter storm rolled in, bringing heavy sleet and snow to their home state of Texas on Friday, Jan 23.—
Nathan Diller,
USA Today,
24 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
The rechargeable lithium-ion battery inside the NODE 100 provides up to 1000+ hours of use from a single charge, which means fewer pauses to top up on power.—
Mark Sparrow,
Forbes.com,
25 Jan. 2026
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The City of Minneapolis is also filing a declaration in hopes a judge will issue a temporary restraining order to put a pause on the operation.—
WCCO Staff,
CBS News,
24 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
This week’s forecast, appropriately enough, calls for sunshine and temperatures in the mid-70s for the 72-hole event.—
Kirk Kenney,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
27 Jan. 2026
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Across the street, crime scene investigators took photos of a silver Chevy car, which had at least one bullet hole in its front windshield.—
Abby Dodge,
CBS News,
27 Jan. 2026
Verb
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After initially suspending the hospital from receiving stroke patients last summer, Schultz in October revoked its designation entirely as a stroke-neurology receiving center, one of nine in the county.—
Tony Saavedra,
Oc Register,
24 Jan. 2026
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Days later, the Coast Guard suspended its search.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
24 Jan. 2026
Noun
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Although Boyd was later released, he was readmitted during the Thanksgiving holiday after suffering health complications related to the shooting and remains hospitalized.—
Preezy Brown,
VIBE.com,
22 Jan. 2026
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This amazing response enabled the food drive organizers to help those in need during the Thanksgiving and Christmas holidays.—
Sharon Hlapcich,
Oc Register,
22 Jan. 2026
Noun
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Emilee Chinn / Getty Images Activity hit a lull after Edwin Díaz was introduced as the Los Angeles Dodgers’ new closer 26 days ago.—
Katie Woo,
New York Times,
7 Jan. 2026
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Hornick, the diner’s owner, said that despite the Logan Square spot struggling for many months — some days having a two-hour lull without a single customer — servers would turn a switch immediately as the door swung open.—
Zareen Syed,
Chicago Tribune,
5 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
The bubble-like structures and carved cavities in the glowing hydrogen are classic signatures of stellar feedback, the process by which newborn stars reshape the cloud that made them.—
Kenna Hughes-Castleberry,
Space.com,
21 Jan. 2026
-
The insulation may be the wrong size for the wall cavity, or the vapor barrier might be improperly stapled to the studs—or detached.—
Lee Wallender,
The Spruce,
16 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Recess.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/recess. Accessed 28 Jan. 2026.
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