1
as in alcoves
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
Relevance
2
as in vacations
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 pauses
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 holes
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 suspends
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 recesses
Eva Roytburg, Fortune, 19 Aug. 2025
Attorney Lauren Cerri of Cerri, Boskovich & Allard, representing the plaintiff, condemned school administration for ignoring prior complaints made by yard duty supervisors years earlier that Wilson was spending time in his classroom alone with female students during lunch recesses.
—Jennah Pendleton, Sacbee.com, 13 Aug. 2025
In the recesses of the internet, where reality can feel increasingly fuzzy, one young Norwegian man lacking offline mobility built a world of his own.
—Matthew Jacobs, HollywoodReporter, 10 Aug. 2025
And yet the meeting itself is lost to the deepest recesses of Pledger’s mind.
—Rob Picheta, CNN Money, 6 Aug. 2025
The president earlier this week threatened to yank the July 4 recesses next week if the legislation is not on his desk by the Independence Day deadline.
—Alex Gangitano, The Hill, 27 June 2025
Noun
August is typically the slowest month of the year for restaurants in Washington, as Congress recesses and families head out on last-minute vacations.
—Eva Roytburg, Fortune, 19 Aug. 2025
Attorney Lauren Cerri of Cerri, Boskovich & Allard, representing the plaintiff, condemned school administration for ignoring prior complaints made by yard duty supervisors years earlier that Wilson was spending time in his classroom alone with female students during lunch recesses.
—Jennah Pendleton, Sacbee.com, 13 Aug. 2025
In the recesses of the internet, where reality can feel increasingly fuzzy, one young Norwegian man lacking offline mobility built a world of his own.
—Matthew Jacobs, HollywoodReporter, 10 Aug. 2025
And yet the meeting itself is lost to the deepest recesses of Pledger’s mind.
—Rob Picheta, CNN Money, 6 Aug. 2025
The president earlier this week threatened to yank the July 4 recesses next week if the legislation is not on his desk by the Independence Day deadline.
—Alex Gangitano, The Hill, 27 June 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for recesses
Noun
-
Inside the intimate cantina, a curved bar stands at the center of a domed space with alcoves around the edges.—
Brady MacDonald,
Oc Register,
21 Aug. 2025
-
Sand and silt that settle from floodwaters in places that smaller flows never reach, such as caves or alcoves along the walls of bedrock canyons.—
Ellen Wohl
August 20,
Literary Hub,
20 Aug. 2025
Noun
-
Yet, for some, their luxury vacations are all a facade.—
Lim Hui Jie,
CNBC,
4 Sep. 2025
-
Today, millions of people rely on it each year to time vacations, weddings, and photography trips.—
Brittany Anas,
Forbes.com,
3 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
But with practice, the pauses get easier, the recovery gets faster and your presence becomes a practice and a way of being.—
Ashley B. Stewart,
Forbes.com,
3 Sep. 2025
-
And in case there were not enough pauses in the action, officials stopped the game several other times for lengthy reviews — some initiated by coaches — on foul calls.—
Joseph Dycus,
Mercury News,
1 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
Lawyers at Walsh Gallegos coordinated two releases of emails and other documents on behalf of the school board, but CNN reported how gaping holes remained, surprising and angering board members.—
Shimon Prokupecz,
CNN Money,
9 Sep. 2025
-
Eighteen holes away from his first collegiate win, the possibility felt real.—
Zach Sweet,
Kansas City Star,
9 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Lloyd’s character was given a new lease on life years ago by Isaac, who created a machine that suspends Orloff’s head in liquid and supports its life without his body.—
Lisa de los Reyes,
HollywoodReporter,
6 Sep. 2025
-
What good is a long-term plan to pre-fund benefits if the state simply suspends contributions to temporarily shave $700 million in annual spending?—
The Editorial Board,
Oc Register,
17 Aug. 2025
Noun
-
Lived on the corners and changed speeds.—
Kansas City Star,
Kansas City Star,
9 Sep. 2025
-
Meanwhile, Doja Cat’s eyes were carved out using a bronze shadow in the crease and a matte white in her inner corners.—
Kaleigh Werner,
Footwear News,
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
-
Bayrou called the vote in a bid to push through an unpopular 44 billion euros savings plan that includes scrapping two public holidays and freezing spending.—
Saskya Vandoorne,
CNN Money,
7 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
Many matches that stretch to five sets are hailed as classics, but closer inspection reveals their lulls and impurities.—
Matthew Futterman,
New York Times,
19 Aug. 2025
-
Time – Plan to stay out at least an hour; showers often have bursts and lulls.—
Amanda Castro
Hannah Parry
Anna Commander,
MSNBC Newsweek,
12 Aug. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Recesses.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/recesses. Accessed 11 Sep. 2025.
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