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
David Ingram, NBC news, 18 May 2026
Republicans hope to pass the reconciliation bill before this weekend, ahead of the Memorial Day recess.
—Burgess Everett, semafor.com, 18 May 2026
Niyaz Pirani, Los Angeles Times, 10 Apr. 2026
Stucchi recommends in-paver LEDs, low bollards, or recessed path lighting to give your driveway a welcoming glow.
—Alexandra Kelly, Martha Stewart, 5 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for recess
Noun
During a recess after the verdict was read, lawyers for OpenAI and Microsoft exchanged hugs and pats on the back.
—David Ingram, NBC news, 18 May 2026
Republicans hope to pass the reconciliation bill before this weekend, ahead of the Memorial Day recess.
—Burgess Everett, semafor.com, 18 May 2026
Verb
Behind every roof beam is recessed LED lighting, with individual lighting control for every strand.
—Niyaz Pirani, Los Angeles Times, 10 Apr. 2026
Stucchi recommends in-paver LEDs, low bollards, or recessed path lighting to give your driveway a welcoming glow.
—Alexandra Kelly, Martha Stewart, 5 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for recess
Recent Examples of Synonyms for recess
Noun
-
Step inside the home’s domed walls to discover charm and coziness around every turn, from an alcove sofa to a wood-burning fireplace.—
Angela Tafoya,
Vogue,
18 May 2026
-
There’s also a little alcove dining nook and a foyer with room for the kind of grab-and-go storage one would want in that space.—
Katie McDonough,
Curbed,
18 May 2026
Noun
-
Kara May of Kent, England, revealed that the incident occurred while her family was on a camping vacation in June 2024, per Kennedy News and Media.—
Toria Sheffield,
PEOPLE,
24 May 2026
-
If your vacation plans involve anything more active than lounging poolside, these Baleaf travel pants deserve space in your suitcase.—
Chaise Sanders,
Travel + Leisure,
24 May 2026
Noun
-
Taiwanese officials say they were not alerted to any potential pauses, according to The Associated Press.—
Robert McGreevy,
FOXNews.com,
23 May 2026
-
Before hitting the pause button, Joanne and Noah host their first dinner party.—
Hugh Hart,
IndieWire,
23 May 2026
Noun
-
Rai closed in commanding fashion, playing his final 10 holes in six-under par without a blemish on the scorecard en route to a closing 65 and a three-shot victory at nine-under overall.—
Jeff Goudy,
Forbes.com,
18 May 2026
-
Some birds also will poke holes in the ground looking for tasty critters.—
Joan Morris,
Mercury News,
18 May 2026
Verb
-
The spread of reconstructed audio recordings has prompted a US government agency to suspend all public access to its database of civil transportation accidents—because federal law prohibits investigators from publicly releasing audio from cockpit voice recorders.—
ArsTechnica,
ArsTechnica,
22 May 2026
-
Major interstates were inundated during afternoon rush hour, drivers were trapped in cars and autonomous vehicle company Waymo suspended services.—
Marshall Shepherd,
Forbes.com,
22 May 2026
Noun
-
Outside, below the gold script Donohue’s sign, there is a small glass box window that looks onto the street and is lavishly decorated for nearly every federal holiday.—
Marisa Meltzer,
Vanity Fair,
14 May 2026
-
Republican leaders won’t be able to count on much support from Democrats — or even from some of their GOP colleagues, who see a gas tax holiday as depleting money for highway projects.—
Nicholas Wu,
semafor.com,
14 May 2026
Noun
-
The release will also occur in a lull, following a rush of smartphone reviews from the September and October launches.—
Ewan Spence,
Forbes.com,
23 May 2026
-
Others argue the uptick in prices is just a lull before another downturn.—
Semafor Events,
semafor.com,
22 May 2026
Noun
-
But there are also lingual tonsils (base of the tongue), tubal (around the opening of the Eustachian tube in the nasopharynx (upper part of cavity behind nose and mouth) and adenoid (high up in throat behind nose).—
Scott Lafee,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
19 May 2026
-
That bacteria can then enter a patient’s open cavity, leading to infection.—
Judy L. Thomas,
Kansas City Star,
19 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Recess.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/recess. Accessed 26 May. 2026.
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