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
Marisa Suzanne Martin, The Spruce, 15 Apr. 2026
There are hints tossed out to suggest his characters’ inner recesses.
—Richard Brody, New Yorker, 7 Apr. 2026
The windows, which feature energy-efficient tinted glass, sit within deep recesses that help shade the sun while giving the overall building a reassuring sense of solidity.
—Edward Keegan, Chicago Tribune, 5 Apr. 2026
The new bill would also prohibit the use of electronic devices during recesses.
—Courtney Cole, CBS News, 1 Apr. 2026
Often today, it is then nurtured in the dark recesses of the internet, where children and teenagers can find peers angry at the world and ready to lash out.
—Natalie Eilbert, jsonline.com, 17 Mar. 2026
With millions of people along its coastline and countless vessels crossing its waters, the Mediterranean receives an enormous and constant flow of waste — much of which eventually settles into its deepest recesses.
—Ryan Brennan, Miami Herald, 10 Mar. 2026
Doctrines and designs which a few years since could find no mouthpiece out of a bar-room, or the piratical den of a filibuster, are now clothed with power by the authentic response of the bench of our highest judicatory, and obsequiously iterated from the oracular recesses of the National Palace.
—Jake Lundberg, The Atlantic, 12 Feb. 2026
At the request of the art-loving owner, numerous areas have been designed as private galleries with special shelves for sculptures and recesses in the walls for paintings.
—Rachel Cormack, Robb Report, 11 Feb. 2026
Noun
Not ready to take on a full renovation to add arched doorways or recesses to your home?
—Marisa Suzanne Martin, The Spruce, 15 Apr. 2026
There are hints tossed out to suggest his characters’ inner recesses.
—Richard Brody, New Yorker, 7 Apr. 2026
The windows, which feature energy-efficient tinted glass, sit within deep recesses that help shade the sun while giving the overall building a reassuring sense of solidity.
—Edward Keegan, Chicago Tribune, 5 Apr. 2026
The new bill would also prohibit the use of electronic devices during recesses.
—Courtney Cole, CBS News, 1 Apr. 2026
Often today, it is then nurtured in the dark recesses of the internet, where children and teenagers can find peers angry at the world and ready to lash out.
—Natalie Eilbert, jsonline.com, 17 Mar. 2026
With millions of people along its coastline and countless vessels crossing its waters, the Mediterranean receives an enormous and constant flow of waste — much of which eventually settles into its deepest recesses.
—Ryan Brennan, Miami Herald, 10 Mar. 2026
Doctrines and designs which a few years since could find no mouthpiece out of a bar-room, or the piratical den of a filibuster, are now clothed with power by the authentic response of the bench of our highest judicatory, and obsequiously iterated from the oracular recesses of the National Palace.
—Jake Lundberg, The Atlantic, 12 Feb. 2026
At the request of the art-loving owner, numerous areas have been designed as private galleries with special shelves for sculptures and recesses in the walls for paintings.
—Rachel Cormack, Robb Report, 11 Feb. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for recesses
Noun
-
Up top, the heated rooftop pool is surrounded by shaded lounge chairs, cabanas, and expansive private alcoves designed for up to 12 guests.—
Patricia Doherty,
Travel + Leisure,
17 Apr. 2026
-
The boards illustrate the two-story building with details such as white walls and a clay roof, alcoves and residential balconies facing the street.—
Karen Billing,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
6 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Romance, fun diversions, vacations, sports events and rewarding activities with kids will be your theme.—
Georgia Nicols,
Denver Post,
19 Apr. 2026
-
In the city’s early years, people would flock to Newport Beach from Los Angeles and elsewhere for beach vacations, a tourist town that visitors fell in love with, buying second homes or moving in permanently.—
Laylan Connelly,
Oc Register,
19 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Women also have more hypopneas (shallow breaths with less oxygen flow), whereas men tend toward apneas (complete pauses in breathing).—
Katie Camero,
SELF,
16 Apr. 2026
-
According to the Cleveland Clinic, premature babies can experience these pauses along with a slow heart rate or low blood oxygen levels.—
Kayla Grant,
PEOPLE,
16 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Round pegs found round holes all over the pitch.—
Jack Pitt-Brooke,
New York Times,
20 Apr. 2026
-
This is because poor soil or weak drainage—like using pots without drainage holes, one of many common mistakes of growing tomatoes in containers—can lead to root rot, nutrient deficiencies, and stunted growth, Omelchenko says.—
Michelle Mastro,
The Spruce,
19 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Once the Board of Bar Overseers permanently suspends Rappa's license, Dobens says his clients can start the process of getting the money reimbursed.—
Mike Sullivan,
CBS News,
8 Apr. 2026
-
Riverside County sheriff suspends election fraud probe Chad Bianco has paused his controversial investigation into election fraud claims after seizing more than 650,000 ballots from November’s Proposition 50 election.—
Deputy Managing Editor,
Los Angeles Times,
31 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Washington really needs corners who can cover and McCoy can definitely cover.—
Dan Zaksheske,
FOXNews.com,
21 Apr. 2026
-
Central bankers must be strong enough to listen to a diversity of views from all corners…humble enough to be open-minded to new ideas and new economic developments…wise enough to translate imperfect data into meaningful insight…and dedicated enough to make judgments faithfully and wisely.—
Eleanor Pringle,
Fortune,
21 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Julia Gomez is a Trending reporter for USA TODAY and covers popular toys, space phenomena, scientific studies, natural disasters, holidays, and trending news.—
Julia Gomez,
USA Today,
17 Apr. 2026
-
During school holidays, Circus Academy New York hosts single-day camps in flying trapeze, trampoline, and stilt walking.—
The Editors,
Curbed,
16 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Not all parts of the country seem to have the same pattern, although the data points to school breaks as relative lulls.—
Meg Wingerter,
Denver Post,
18 Apr. 2026
-
Acting in a movie involves a lot of waiting around, too—as the crew repositions cameras and adjusts the lighting, among other things—and those lulls provided me with plenty of time to feel queasy with anxiety.—
Naomi Fry,
New Yorker,
14 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Recesses.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/recesses. Accessed 24 Apr. 2026.
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