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
Hanna Kang, Oc Register, 8 Sep. 2025
The 577-seat National Assembly cut short its summer recess to stage an extraordinary session marked by high political drama.
—Gabe Whisnant, MSNBC Newsweek, 8 Sep. 2025
Stephen Groves, Chicago Tribune, 22 July 2025
Also, the power button is recessed and hard to find by feel.
—PC Magazine, 22 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for recess
Noun
The space, outfitted with rugs, colorful beanbags, fairy lights, books and sensory activities, is open to all students during recess and used for counseling groups and one-on-one sessions during the day.
—Hanna Kang, Oc Register, 8 Sep. 2025
The 577-seat National Assembly cut short its summer recess to stage an extraordinary session marked by high political drama.
—Gabe Whisnant, MSNBC Newsweek, 8 Sep. 2025
Verb
Late Monday evening, business on that panel ground to a halt when the Republicans on the committee abruptly recessed proceedings rather than risk more proposals from Democrats pushing them to release Epstein files.
—Stephen Groves, Chicago Tribune, 22 July 2025
Also, the power button is recessed and hard to find by feel.
—PC Magazine, 22 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for recess
Recent Examples of Synonyms for recess
Noun
-
Not only is the kitchen fully on display but a separate alcove is given over to his highly technical lab, a play space dedicated to fermentation, aging, preserving and otherwise concocting.—
Ann Abel,
Forbes.com,
2 Sep. 2025
-
During the day, the bed folds up via a split-hinge design that allows the foot section to lift clean to the ceiling and the midsection to fold back vertically against the alcove that houses the head of the mattress.—
New Atlas,
New Atlas,
29 Aug. 2025
Noun
-
Getty Images Many travelers cherish memorable walks and hikes on their vacations.—
Gary Stoller,
Forbes.com,
16 Sep. 2025
-
Chelsea was a young woman on vacation with her boyfriend, Rick Hatchett (Walton Goggins).—
Carson Blackwelder,
PEOPLE,
15 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
The pause will last three years and could save restaurants $850 in fees annually while potentially boosting their sales.—
Chris Higgins,
Kansas City Star,
15 Sep. 2025
-
People hear your tone, your pauses, your personality.—
Jodie Cook,
Forbes.com,
15 Sep. 2025
Noun
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On the 18th hole of the final match, Nicklaus sank his par putt and then conceded Tony Jacklin’s short par putt, ensuring both the match and the Ryder Cup ended in a tie.—
Tim Corlett,
Forbes.com,
11 Sep. 2025
-
My only shot was through a hole the size of a business card between some limbs.—
Jack Atcheson Sr. as told to Michael Hanback,
Outdoor Life,
11 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Since only a tiny fraction of employers who hire H-2A workers face severe consequences, human rights organizations also have urged regulators to suspend or ban more employers from the H-2A program.—
Max Blau,
ProPublica,
16 Sep. 2025
-
While the results were impressive, the fact that Nutrafol even went to the trouble of creating such a rigorous study around its supplement was enough to make our dermatologist judges suspend their usual skepticism around the ingestibles category.—
Megan McIntyre,
Allure,
16 Sep. 2025
Noun
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Simon-Kucher also has a new holiday shopping report, which surveyed consumers in July, and is forecasting Gen Z shoppers to reduce their holiday shopping budget by only 1%, from $814 to $805, while Millennials will be spending 14% more year over year.—
Betty Lin-Fisher,
USA Today,
13 Sep. 2025
-
What’s a pirate’s favorite holiday?—
Richard Lederer,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
13 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
The lull during the 2024 season was attributed in part to a jet of winds over Africa that were pushing northward and not following the typical track off the coast, Kelly Núñez Ocasio, assistant professor in the atmospheric sciences department at Texas A&M University, previously told USA TODAY.—
Dinah Voyles Pulver,
USA Today,
16 Sep. 2025
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During the rare lull in service, McPherson watches over this scene from the bar, catching up with longtime customers and friends from the neighborhood.—
The Bon Appétit Staff,
Bon Appetit Magazine,
12 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
Thanks to modern anesthesia and advances in dental care, root canals are usually no more uncomfortable than having a cavity filled.—
Daryl Austin,
USA Today,
13 Sep. 2025
-
Since February 2021, NASA's Perseverance rover has been exploring a region on Mars known as Jezero Crater, a huge cavity believed to have once hosted a lake.—
Monisha Ravisetti,
Space.com,
10 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Recess.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/recess. Accessed 18 Sep. 2025.
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