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
Susan B. Glasser, New Yorker, 24 July 2025
The House of Representatives has fled Washington for their annual August recess, but the Senate may be stuck sweltering at work.
—Savannah Kuchar, USA Today, 24 July 2025
Tim Stelloh, NBC news, 3 June 2025
On June 16, 1978, one day after Branham High School recessed for summer, a student found Diane Peterson lying on the floor of the hallway near her classroom with a single stab wound to her chest, according to the Santa Clara County district attorney’s office.
—Karen Garcia, Los Angeles Times, 2 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for recess
Noun
A day later, recess be damned, a House Oversight subcommittee voted, 8–2, to subpoena the Justice Department for Epstein records that the Trump Administration has refused to release.
—Susan B. Glasser, New Yorker, 24 July 2025
The House of Representatives has fled Washington for their annual August recess, but the Senate may be stuck sweltering at work.
—Savannah Kuchar, USA Today, 24 July 2025
Verb
Peterson was found lying on the floor near her classroom with a single stab wound to her chest on June 16, 1978, one day after school recessed for the summer, according to the release.
—Tim Stelloh, NBC news, 3 June 2025
On June 16, 1978, one day after Branham High School recessed for summer, a student found Diane Peterson lying on the floor of the hallway near her classroom with a single stab wound to her chest, according to the Santa Clara County district attorney’s office.
—Karen Garcia, Los Angeles Times, 2 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for recess
Recent Examples of Synonyms for recess
Noun
-
Bathed in overcast light, the ruins of a stone city stood out from the shadows of a massive alcove.—
Mike Bezemek,
Smithsonian Magazine,
10 July 2025
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The alcove features a fire pit surrounded by four eight-foot-tall walls, which local artist Jonas Never brought to life with murals depicting the neighborhoods that intersect at Gladstones — Malibu, the Pacific Palisades and Santa Monica.—
Karla Marie Sanford,
Los Angeles Times,
3 July 2025
Noun
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At $36, Garten's favorite rosé is a reasonable little luxury that can make a standard Tuesday night feel a little more like summer vacation.—
Karla Walsh,
Better Homes & Gardens,
15 July 2025
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His work as The Arizona Republic’s consumer travel reporter aims to help readers navigate the stresses of traveling and get the best value for their money on their vacations.—
Michael Salerno,
AZCentral.com,
15 July 2025
Noun
-
Decisions are made, the next task appears, and there’s little pause to examine what worked or what missed.—
Vibhas Ratanjee,
Forbes.com,
14 July 2025
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Even though no funding has been cut, Jackson condemned the administration, contending the effect of the pause is going to be massive and could result in North Carolina firing about 1,000 educators.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
14 July 2025
Noun
-
Secure burn barrels: If burning is permitted in your area, ensure that all burn barrels have a weighted metal cover, complete with holes no larger than 3/4 of an inch.—
CA Weather Bot,
Sacbee.com,
24 July 2025
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And the man with a gruesome hole in his body as a result of necrosis.—
Charles Trepany,
USA Today,
24 July 2025
Verb
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In Georgia, as more than 50 data centers have cropped up around Atlanta and other parts of the state, lawmakers opted to suspend data center subsidies to reassess the industry's impacts, although Gov. Brian Kemp vetoed the measure.—
Connor Giffin,
The Courier-Journal,
30 July 2025
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Projects in Los Angeles, Chicago, and Baltimore all appear to have been quietly dropped, and despite an announcement for a Fort Lauderdale tunnel in 2021, the project appears to be suspended.—
Hadas Gold,
CNN Money,
29 July 2025
Noun
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Terrell also said this bill was coming up during Passover, a Jewish high holiday.—
Lily Kepner,
Austin American Statesman,
30 July 2025
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New openings abound on Spain’s southern coastline, but the newest, Fairmont La Hacienda, is capturing the essence of quiet travel to offer holidays with a difference.—
Angelina Villa-Clarke,
Forbes.com,
29 July 2025
Noun
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What’s wrong with a lull in sales? Slow-growing sales, if not corrected, ultimately mean declining profitability – and stock price.—
Alexander Coolidge,
The Enquirer,
29 July 2025
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It's been another busy week for politics in Kentucky — with no sign of a summer lull.—
Bailey Loosemore,
Louisville Courier Journal,
24 July 2025
Noun
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Barred owls are quite territorial and are generally considered cavity nesters.—
The San Diego Union Tribune,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
12 July 2025
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This partially or fully severs the turtle’s head before the crab feeds from the cavity.—
Laura Baisas,
Popular Science,
10 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Recess.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/recess. Accessed 1 Aug. 2025.
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