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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
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Recent Examples of recess
Bill Ritter Jr, Denver Post, 27 Sep. 2025
Lawmakers are largely gone, too, following a weeklong holiday recess.
—Zachary Schermele, USA Today, 26 Sep. 2025
Antonio María Delgado, Miami Herald, 21 Aug. 2025
Plus, the arms are recessed, and the foam cushions are supportive yet bouncy for a comfortable, relaxing seat.
—Shea Simmons, Southern Living, 9 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for recess
Noun
The mayor of Phoenix told us her son’s school canceled recess because the playground slide was too hot for children to play safely.
—Bill Ritter Jr, Denver Post, 27 Sep. 2025
Lawmakers are largely gone, too, following a weeklong holiday recess.
—Zachary Schermele, USA Today, 26 Sep. 2025
Verb
Designers minimized its radar cross-section by enclosing antennas inside masts, recessing equipment, and reshaping the anchor pocket.
—Antonio María Delgado, Miami Herald, 21 Aug. 2025
Plus, the arms are recessed, and the foam cushions are supportive yet bouncy for a comfortable, relaxing seat.
—Shea Simmons, Southern Living, 9 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for recess
Recent Examples of Synonyms for recess
Noun
-
In a nearby alcove, a blue horizontal stripe was punctuated by key dates in red, such as 1906, when Finland became the first country in Europe in which women could run for political office.—
Jennifer Wilson,
New Yorker,
6 Oct. 2025
-
This alcove is drenched in a rich shade of deep blue paint that imparts a sense of calm without feeling heavy or dark.—
Leanne Potts,
Better Homes & Gardens,
2 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
Martha Stewart is a culinary icon – but don’t expect to find her in the kitchen on vacation.—
Nathan Diller,
USA Today,
7 Oct. 2025
-
With five interior pockets and an extra two inches of expansion in each suitcase, these bags are super spacious and ideal for longer trips or family vacations.—
Jasmine Gomez,
Travel + Leisure,
6 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
The funding pause leaves many new homeowners in high-flood risk areas scrambling for protection and could halt the processing of current damage claims.—
Tamia Fowlkes,
jsonline.com,
6 Oct. 2025
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Contrast that with Robert Lewandowski, whose stutter, pause, judder, wait for the ’keeper to dive and then place it wide of the post didn’t work for Barcelona during their surprise defeat away to Sevilla a few hours later.—
Tim Spiers,
New York Times,
6 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
If the goal is a lineup with as few holes as possible, the Hurricanes do so more emphatically than any other team in the league.—
The Athletic NHL,
New York Times,
2 Oct. 2025
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The wire makes digging up the bulbs more difficult, but allows the foliage to easily grow through the wire holes.—
Mary Marlowe Leverette,
Southern Living,
2 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Pay has been suspended for roughly 2 million federal workers, with nearly 750,000 ordered not to report to work.—
Natalie Neysa Alund,
USA Today,
7 Oct. 2025
-
Already been suspended after five yellows in six appearances.—
Tim Spiers,
New York Times,
7 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
My mother-in-law serves cowboy candy every holiday over a block of cream cheese (think pepper jelly but with a tiny bit more heat), but some folks like to snack on them as is.—
Katherine Polcari,
Southern Living,
5 Oct. 2025
-
Select pieces from Gaines’ Target collection are marked down, including this wooden tray that’s perfect for serving appetizers and snacks at upcoming holiday gatherings.—
Jacqueline Tempera,
Better Homes & Gardens,
5 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
To top it all off, the in-game lulls that have plagued the Bills’ offense at times followed them once again.—
The Athletic NFL Staff,
New York Times,
6 Oct. 2025
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Though Israeli forces will continue to encircle Gaza City, this lull in combat operations is intended to allow Hamas members to locate the 48 remaining hostages, the Israeli military said, with fewer than half of those estimated to be still alive.—
Willem Marx,
NPR,
4 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
Each one-liter bottle helps kill 99% of bad breath germs, strengthen enamel and fight cavities.—
Nora Colomer
may earn a commission if you buy through our referral links. This content was created by a team that works independently from the Fox newsroom.,
FOXNews.com,
7 Oct. 2025
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Simply cut a hole in the top of a pumpkin, scoop out the insides, and place a candle inside the cavity to create a warm fall light.—
Emily Williams,
Better Homes & Gardens,
7 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Recess.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/recess. Accessed 8 Oct. 2025.
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