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
Nia Bowers, USA Today, 15 June 2025
The justices still have a handful of cases remaining before breaking for their summer recess, many of which will indeed be contentious and include vigorous dissents.
—Editorial, Boston Herald, 14 June 2025
Mia Cathell, The Washington Examiner, 20 May 2025
The Arkansas House and Senate recessed on April 16.
—Josh Snyder, Arkansas Online, 2 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for recess
Noun
Just in time for the long recess, myFirst, a global leader in child-friendly technology, has once again revolutionized the kids’ photography space with the launch of its smallest instant print camera, the myFirst Camera Insta 20.
—Nia Bowers, USA Today, 15 June 2025
The justices still have a handful of cases remaining before breaking for their summer recess, many of which will indeed be contentious and include vigorous dissents.
—Editorial, Boston Herald, 14 June 2025
Verb
At one point, school officials recessed the meeting.
—Mia Cathell, The Washington Examiner, 20 May 2025
The Arkansas House and Senate recessed on April 16.
—Josh Snyder, Arkansas Online, 2 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for recess
Recent Examples of Synonyms for recess
Noun
-
The swimming hole is at the base of the shelf, encompassed by a sandstone alcove.—
Graham Averill,
Outside Online,
20 June 2025
-
Tiffin's roof stands a foot higher and spills over the cab with a small storage alcove to create extra interior space.—
New Atlas,
New Atlas,
9 June 2025
Noun
-
Employees could use that personal leave as vacation time or bank the hours and cash out at retirement.—
William Melhado,
Sacbee.com,
24 June 2025
-
Madeleine was 3 years old when her family, parents Kate and Gerry McCann and 2-year-old twin siblings, left their home in the U.K. for a vacation in Praia da Luz, Portugal.—
Angel Saunders,
People.com,
24 June 2025
Noun
-
Thrillers work well on TV because episodic television has cliffhangers and pauses built into its structure that actually escalate or elevate the mystery component of a story.—
Proma Khosla,
IndieWire,
20 June 2025
-
His ability to go both ways prompts a moment of pause from Fulham defender Calvin Bassey, and Mbeumo takes the ball onto his weaker right foot and scores across goal.—
Elias Burke,
New York Times,
20 June 2025
Noun
-
Now that hole is being filled with full service, amenitized buildings and a public park along the two mile canal.—
Shimon Shkury,
Forbes.com,
30 June 2025
-
Fuller was then released in February, and the Dolphins still have a major hole for starting-caliber cornerbacks ahead of nickel Kader Kohou after the draft.—
David Furones,
Chicago Tribune,
30 June 2025
Verb
-
Reyes was then suspended for the entirety of the 2020 season for the use of a Performance Enhancing Drug.—
Noah Camras,
MSNBC Newsweek,
23 June 2025
-
Worldwide impact Trump’s Jan. 20 order to immediately suspend refugee admissions stranded more than 10,000 people that completed the lengthy process to acquire refugee status and had scheduled flights to the U.S.—
Sofi Zeman,
Kansas City Star,
23 June 2025
Noun
-
The city also plays host to several huge events throughout the year, the biggest holiday naturally being Lunar New Year, which brings parades, fireworks, and Hong Kong's famous flower markets.—
Taylor McIntyre,
Travel + Leisure,
22 June 2025
-
The video, which was recorded at a store in Atlanta, Georgia, showed several cakes minimally decorated in honor of the federal holiday on June 19, which marks the 1865 emancipation of the last enslaved people in the United States.—
Betty Lin-Fisher,
USA Today,
21 June 2025
Noun
-
This buying lull echoes across the state and nation.—
Jonathan Lansner,
Oc Register,
18 June 2025
-
Typical of fishing while anchored, there were occasional spurts of action followed by lulls.—
Brad Dokken,
Twin Cities,
18 May 2025
Noun
-
Thanks to fluoridated water, childhood and adult cavities have been reduced by about 25%.—
Samantha Korn,
Sun Sentinel,
24 June 2025
-
Each of those frequencies creates its own quantum resonator in the same cavity, with its own set of modes.—
John Timmer,
ArsTechnica,
6 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“Recess.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/recess. Accessed 5 Jul. 2025.
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