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
Anthony Lane, New Yorker, 13 Oct. 2025
Here was the postwar American housewife—neatly dressed, pretty, poised, active—stepping unwittingly into a scene of utter depravity and sadism that reflected back at this wholesome young mother the darkest recesses of the human mind.
—Maureen Lee Lenker, Entertainment Weekly, 10 Sep. 2025
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
Noun
Like any good novelist, Lurie knows that surface details lead us inward, into the recesses of temperament.
—Anthony Lane, New Yorker, 13 Oct. 2025
Here was the postwar American housewife—neatly dressed, pretty, poised, active—stepping unwittingly into a scene of utter depravity and sadism that reflected back at this wholesome young mother the darkest recesses of the human mind.
—Maureen Lee Lenker, Entertainment Weekly, 10 Sep. 2025
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
-
Princess Diana and the Duchess of York once turned up at the club dressed as policewomen and many romantic relationships were sealed in the dark alcoves, although the tabloids rarely, if ever, found out.—
Samantha Conti,
Footwear News,
18 Oct. 2025
-
Now, designers like Hám Interiors are making clever use of compact spaces by fitting bedrooms with alcoves that are both practical and aesthetically pleasing.—
Chloe Frost-Smith,
Vogue,
24 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
Supporters of laxer rules have argued that Nantucket’s year-round residents need the additional income from renting out properties and that the island should be incentivized to provide lodging for the tourists who come for vacations, weddings and weekend jaunts.—
Sydney Lake,
Fortune,
5 Nov. 2025
-
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,
5 Nov. 2025
Noun
-
Spearheaded by The People's Union USA, these spending pauses have lasted anywhere from 24 hours to one week.—
Alex Perry,
Cincinnati Enquirer,
6 Nov. 2025
-
This resulted in the disruption of non-essential public services, including pauses in funding and federal employee salaries, the closure of national parks and administrative delays across federal agencies.—
Lauren Giella,
MSNBC Newsweek,
29 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
To prevent water buildup that could block energy generation, the researchers added micro drainage holes that let water flow downward but not upward, and keep the surface clear for droplet impacts.—
Georgina Jedikovska,
Interesting Engineering,
4 Nov. 2025
-
On Tuesday, the league announced that from the upcoming season, all LIV events will be played over four days and 72 holes.—
Devlina Sarkar,
MSNBC Newsweek,
4 Nov. 2025
Verb
-
Walmart could see a significant decline in consumer spending if the government suspends Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits as a result of the ongoing shutdown.—
Hugh Cameron,
MSNBC Newsweek,
27 Oct. 2025
-
To reduce the risk of heat illnesses, the military generally suspends nonessential outdoor activities on extremely hot days.—
Ames Alexander,
Miami Herald,
22 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
Trends develop from all corners of the world, at micro and macro scales.—
Maya Chawla,
Architectural Digest,
3 Nov. 2025
-
The band’s famous tongue and lip motif is subtly placed in the top corners of the right lenses and on the temple tip.—
Kaleigh Werner,
Footwear News,
3 Nov. 2025
Noun
-
Use separate clear bins for individual holidays or seasons and label accordingly.—
Mary Cornetta,
Better Homes & Gardens,
2 Nov. 2025
-
Make sure to also watch the weather and check for local holidays and festivals.—
Jim Augerinos,
Travel + Leisure,
31 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
That led to a couple of scoring lulls, especially in the first half.—
Shreyas Laddha,
Kansas City Star,
25 Oct. 2025
-
For instance, why did the offense experience so many extended lulls against opposing bullpens (even as, in another contradiction, its overall performance against bullpens was in line with 2024)?—
Will Sammon,
New York Times,
9 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Recesses.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/recesses. Accessed 8 Nov. 2025.
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