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
Lauren Peller, ABC News, 2 Sep. 2025
Lawmakers heard concerns from constituents over the August recess that Trump would make good on his threats to deploy the National Guard to other blue cities.
—Barbara Sprunt, NPR, 2 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
Several other Biden aides testified behind closed doors over recess, providing more fodder for Republicans.
—Lauren Peller, ABC News, 2 Sep. 2025
Lawmakers heard concerns from constituents over the August recess that Trump would make good on his threats to deploy the National Guard to other blue cities.
—Barbara Sprunt, NPR, 2 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
-
Between flights, unpredictable weather, and a packed itinerary, vacations can come with a lot of variables.—
Rachel Trujillo,
Travel + Leisure,
9 Sep. 2025
-
Remind your team that PTO doesn’t require a vacation destination.—
Johnny C. Taylor Jr,
USA Today,
9 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
This pause led to a more strategic decision that ultimately benefited the company.—
Naz Beheshti,
Forbes.com,
8 Sep. 2025
-
Job hopping has hit a pause as employees who might have left their companies previously are no longer able to find higher wages, according to a recent report from Bank of America.—
Suzanne Blake,
MSNBC Newsweek,
8 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
As the Republican candidate stood on the fifth-hole putting green, a Secret Service agent was riding a golf cart in a security sweep of the sixth hole and noticed someone hiding behind a chain-link fence in the southeast corner of the course.—
Jay Weaver,
Miami Herald,
5 Sep. 2025
-
Untangle the roots and spread them out in their planting holes.—
Rita Pelczar,
Better Homes & Gardens,
5 Sep. 2025
Verb
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After the loss, coach Sherrone Moore had to grapple with the choice made by Michigan officials — and Moore himself — to suspend the coach for the Wolverines’ next two games.—
Mitch Sherman,
New York Times,
8 Sep. 2025
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Due to the idle activity, Bangladesh closed three land ports on the Indian border at the end of August, and suspended operations at another.—
Glenn Taylor,
Sourcing Journal,
8 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
My three children have got to spend holidays with her and create memories that will last their whole lives.—
Simon Perry,
PEOPLE,
8 Sep. 2025
-
After a two-week nomination period due to the Labor Day holiday, The Tennessean received five responses from guidance counselors, coaches, teachers and principals.—
Gabrielle Chenault,
Nashville Tennessean,
8 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
But after that moment, the Bills hit a massive lull.—
Joe Buscaglia,
New York Times,
8 Sep. 2025
-
The show hit another peak after a mid-set lull, which Liam valiantly tried to shake off with stories, jokes, and playful crowd banter — a side of him more familiar offstage than on.—
Lily Moayeri,
HollywoodReporter,
7 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
Schumann Resonance Time Acceleration Schumann resonances are natural, low-frequency electromagnetic hums that form in the cavity between Earth’s surface and the ionosphere (50-600 miles above the surface).—
Kaif Shaikh,
Interesting Engineering,
4 Sep. 2025
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In addition to maintaining good oral hygiene habits at home, such as brushing and flossing, experts recommend tactics like drinking plenty of water, limiting snacks and sugary foods, and quitting smoking to help prevent cavities.—
Cristina Mutchler,
Verywell Health,
4 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Recess.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/recess. Accessed 12 Sep. 2025.
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