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
Mike Hellgren, CBS News, 11 Feb. 2026
If lawmakers can’t clinch a deal to keep the department open, Britt said Congress’ upcoming recess should be curtailed.
—Burgess Everett, semafor.com, 10 Feb. 2026
Scott Travis, Sun Sentinel, 21 Jan. 2026
As opposed to overly recessed ceiling fixtures, ambient chandelier lighting can also add a comfortable level of brightness without causing a glare or harsh lighting colors, according to Deana Concilio-Lenz, founder of Deana Lenz Interiors in New York City.
—Nashia Baker, Architectural Digest, 18 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for recess
Noun
Loud objections left commissioners calling for order and taking a recess.
—Mike Hellgren, CBS News, 11 Feb. 2026
If lawmakers can’t clinch a deal to keep the department open, Britt said Congress’ upcoming recess should be curtailed.
—Burgess Everett, semafor.com, 10 Feb. 2026
Verb
The School Board meeting turned tense at various times, with frequent disruptions from the audience, leading Leonardi on at least two occasions to recess the meeting.
—Scott Travis, Sun Sentinel, 21 Jan. 2026
As opposed to overly recessed ceiling fixtures, ambient chandelier lighting can also add a comfortable level of brightness without causing a glare or harsh lighting colors, according to Deana Concilio-Lenz, founder of Deana Lenz Interiors in New York City.
—Nashia Baker, Architectural Digest, 18 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for recess
Recent Examples of Synonyms for recess
Noun
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But in the pint-sized alcove near the TV is a cozy reading nook with a large pillow and faux fur rug to lay on while reclining on other pillows.—
Caron Golden,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
7 Feb. 2026
-
Elsewhere, the children’s bunkroom pairs two built-in bunks with two captain’s beds tucked in their own alcoves.—
Tori Latham,
Robb Report,
6 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
This perfect beach vacation is ideal for those who need a mini-vacation.—
Megan duBois,
USA Today,
14 Feb. 2026
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In celebration of their one-year anniversary, Girard and Jung went on a European vacation to Germany and France in May 2025.—
Hannah Kirby,
jsonline.com,
14 Feb. 2026
Noun
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Funding was eventually restored after a series of lawsuits challenging payment pauses, eligibility requirements, and requests from the federal government for sensitive citizen data.—
Isa Almeida,
Oklahoman,
14 Feb. 2026
-
That pause in dopamine release signals a failure in reward arrival, a new kind of prediction error.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
13 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Nine months later, Kinser’s remains were found in a sinkhole with a bullet hole in his skull, according to court documents.—
Elizabeth Wolfe,
CNN Money,
17 Feb. 2026
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Further testing discovered a hole in a steel pipe within the well, about 2,700 feet deep, a potential escape hatch for oil field wastewater.—
Nick Bowlin,
The Frontier,
16 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
But allegations of vote-swapping and selling of votes by French judge Marie-Reine Le Gougne led to an investigation by the ISU and the International Olympic Committee, and she was ultimately found guilty of misconduct and suspended.—
Dave Skretta,
Chicago Tribune,
13 Feb. 2026
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Our translations ask readers to suspend the assumption that the United States, Israel, or the Soviet Union offered salvation to Jews in the postwar world.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
13 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
The foundation has raised $700,000 for military support and paid off holiday layaway for 515 military families.—
Ryan Morik,
FOXNews.com,
5 Feb. 2026
-
Valentine’s Day, a holiday that fills hearts with figurative longing and passion — and literal foodstuffs, like chocolate.—
Amy Drew Thompson,
The Orlando Sentinel,
5 Feb. 2026
Noun
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After a brief lull in precipitation Monday afternoon, snow levels drop to around 2000 feet Monday night into Tuesday, remaining low through Thursday.—
CA Weather Bot,
Sacbee.com,
14 Feb. 2026
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The idea has spawned a flurry of products which are helping their customers resist the temptation of automatically picking up their phone and scrolling social media during any and every lull in the day.—
Marco Quiroz-Gutierrez,
Fortune,
13 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Underground cavities found on Venus Taking a fresh look at radar data collected by Magellan, a team of scientists were able to spot a large underground cavity on Venus created by lava flow.—
Eric Lagatta,
USA Today,
11 Feb. 2026
-
Dim light will make the cavity’s dimensions impossible to read.—
Rebecca Mead,
New Yorker,
9 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Recess.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/recess. Accessed 18 Feb. 2026.
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