recess 1 of 2

noun

ˈrē-ˌses How to pronounce recess (audio)
Definition of recessnext
1
as in alcove
a hollowed-out space in a wall the curator placed the large vase in one of the recesses of the gallery wall

Synonyms & Similar Words

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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

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

recess

2 of 2

verb

as in to suspend
to bring to a formal close for a period of time the judge recessed the court for lunch

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of recess
Noun
Discord flared during a 15-minute recess on Wednesday when defense attorney Mark Daniel approached Raby, who was on the witness stand, to ask about obtaining sheriff’s office timesheet records. — Emerson Clarridge, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 2 July 2026 Amid a rebellion over the SAVE Act, Johnson lost control of the House floor for a second time this week, sending lawmakers home early for the July Fourth recess. — Francesca Chambers, USA Today, 2 July 2026
Verb
House Speaker Mike Johnson abruptly recessed the chamber on Tuesday, June 30. — Zachary Schermele, USA Today, 1 July 2026 The chassis itself leans heavily toward function over luxury aesthetics, with thick ventilation channels, recessed handles, dense connector layouts, and a distinctly industrial feel throughout. — Michael Lydick, PC Magazine, 29 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for recess
Recent Examples of Synonyms for recess
  1. alcove
  2. vacation
  3. pause
  4. hole
  5. suspend
  6. holiday
  7. lull
  8. cavity
Noun
  • This space houses a stone alcove bed, additional sleeping space, a generous kitchen, and a beautiful bathroom of stone and cocciopesto.
    — Lucrezia Worthington, Condé Nast Traveler, 21 June 2026
  • Other highlights include a sunken living room centered around a fireplace, with a bay-windowed alcove that accommodates a grand piano beneath a vintage Murano milk-glass calla lily chandelier.
    — Wendy Bowman, Robb Report, 12 June 2026
Definition of alcove
Noun
  • The white floral print channels the actress’s effortless aesthetic, and the easy-to-style design can be paired with tank tops, T-shirts, or even worn as a strapless swimsuit cover-up for beach days and vacations.
    — Taylor Jean Stephan, PEOPLE, 3 July 2026
  • New reads abound for your vacation tote throughout the weeks of July, with fiction picks featuring a Carnival cruise casualty, a highly entertaining jewel heist at the Waldorf-Astoria, and a Soviet-era madcap adventure.
    — Bethanne Patrick, Los Angeles Times, 2 July 2026
Definition of vacation
Noun
  • The stock has eased slightly since then to around $171, a normal pause after such a steep run, and the level to watch is whether that old $130 breakout zone holds if the pullback extends.
    — Josh Brown,Sean Russo, CNBC, 6 July 2026
  • Packages flow directly from dock doors into scanning, identification and stacking—with no pauses, no handoffs and no redesigns.
    — Arthur Zaczkiewicz, Footwear News, 6 July 2026
Definition of pause
Noun
  • Mozeliak said the Angels should not consider a trade proposal in isolation, without considering how to flex their major-market muscles to fill whatever hole a trade might create.
    — Bill Shaikin, Los Angeles Times, 6 July 2026
  • The difference between these two measurements gives the exciton binding energy, a key quantity that determines how strongly the electron and hole remain bound together.
    — Rupendra Brahambhatt, Interesting Engineering, 5 July 2026
Definition of hole
Verb
  • Don’t miss the park’s Canopy Walkway, which includes a 100-foot expanse suspended 25 feet in the air that travels through the treetops and a 74-foot tower that offers a literal bird’s-eye view of the expansive park.
    — Beth Luberecki, USA Today, 30 June 2026
  • Democrats have also increased taxes on businesses, paid for programs out of other funds and suspended reserve deposits among other solutions.
    — Taryn Luna, Los Angeles Times, 30 June 2026
Definition of suspend
Noun
  • Since Independence Day is a federal holiday, most branches of national banks such as Bank of America, Wells Fargo and CitiBank, among others, will be closed on July 4.
    — Gabe Hauari, USA Today, 2 July 2026
  • At the beach, maybe, at a barbecue or whatever place sets fireworks pinwheeling through your holiday-happy mind.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 2 July 2026
Definition of holiday
Noun
  • But just when there seemed to be a lull in all things Taylor-Travis, the couple hit some major milestones.
    — Alexandra Del Rosario, Los Angeles Times, 3 July 2026
  • Getty Images There are lulls on the PGA Tour calendar, and this is one of those heading into the John Deere Classic this weekend.
    — Jeff Hartman, Forbes.com, 1 July 2026
Definition of lull
Noun
  • The pair were pushed into the body wherever swelling threatened a patient’s health, or exploration of an inner cavity was warranted.
    — Katherine Ott, The Conversation, 2 July 2026
  • Other signals worth flagging to a dentist include bleeding or tender gums during brushing or flossing, frequent canker sores, an unusually dry mouth and a rising rate of new cavities despite consistent hygiene.
    — Allison Palmer, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 2 July 2026
Definition of cavity

Browse Nearby Words

recertifying
recess
recessed
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Cite this Entry

“Recess.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/recess. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.

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Nglish: Translation of recess for Spanish Speakers

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