1
as in slumps
a period of decreased economic activity
the country is just coming out of a recession, so expect to see fewer layoffs and more new jobs in the coming year
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in withdrawals
an act of moving away especially from something difficult, dangerous, or disagreeable
a retiring CEO making a gradual recession from the daily rigors of running a major corporation
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of recessions
Households consumed less, firms invested less, imports fell, and recessions compressed spending.
—
James Broughel, Forbes.com, 10 May 2026
If recessions are episodic and random, then contractionary fiscal or monetary policy during a downturn — the kind of austerity attempted in Britain’s 1847 financial crisis and catastrophically misapplied during the Great Depression—is almost certain to make things worse.
—Nick Lichtenberg, Fortune, 9 May 2026
Over the years, the restaurant survived recessions, 9/11, COVID-19, and a fire that forced the business to close for seven years.
—Jamal Goss, CBS News, 8 May 2026
For the next half-century, the restaurant supported dozens of employees, survived changing seasons and recessions.
—Kansas City Star, 7 May 2026
As a result, platinum and palladium prices may fall during recessions, while gold often rises as investors seek safety.
—Sharon Wu, USA Today, 23 Apr. 2026
Edun’s tenure has been marked by an aggressive push to overhaul sub-Saharan Africa’s second-largest economy after two recessions within a decade, leading to an uptick in foreign direct investment inflows.
—Alexander Onukwue, semafor.com, 22 Apr. 2026
The Case for Staying Invested The S&P 500 has never produced a negative total return over any rolling 20-year period — even through wars, oil crises and recessions.
—Allison Palmer, Sacbee.com, 22 Apr. 2026
Frey adds that society’s resistance to automation tends to coincide with economic downturns, like during the Great Depression, or recessions in the 1960s.
—Lorena O’Neil, Rolling Stone, 16 Apr. 2026
James Broughel, Forbes.com, 10 May 2026
If recessions are episodic and random, then contractionary fiscal or monetary policy during a downturn — the kind of austerity attempted in Britain’s 1847 financial crisis and catastrophically misapplied during the Great Depression—is almost certain to make things worse.
—Nick Lichtenberg, Fortune, 9 May 2026
Over the years, the restaurant survived recessions, 9/11, COVID-19, and a fire that forced the business to close for seven years.
—Jamal Goss, CBS News, 8 May 2026
For the next half-century, the restaurant supported dozens of employees, survived changing seasons and recessions.
—Kansas City Star, 7 May 2026
As a result, platinum and palladium prices may fall during recessions, while gold often rises as investors seek safety.
—Sharon Wu, USA Today, 23 Apr. 2026
Edun’s tenure has been marked by an aggressive push to overhaul sub-Saharan Africa’s second-largest economy after two recessions within a decade, leading to an uptick in foreign direct investment inflows.
—Alexander Onukwue, semafor.com, 22 Apr. 2026
The Case for Staying Invested The S&P 500 has never produced a negative total return over any rolling 20-year period — even through wars, oil crises and recessions.
—Allison Palmer, Sacbee.com, 22 Apr. 2026
Frey adds that society’s resistance to automation tends to coincide with economic downturns, like during the Great Depression, or recessions in the 1960s.
—Lorena O’Neil, Rolling Stone, 16 Apr. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for recessions
Noun
-
Sometimes, players just go through slumps.—
Assistant Sports Editor,
Los Angeles Times,
7 May 2026
-
When managing a schedule of roughly 60 games, there isn’t time to be patient or let hitters work through slumps.—
Andrew Baggarly,
New York Times,
29 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Investigators also learned that, at the time Prindle was discovered dead, a card in her name was still being used to make payments on an active utilities account, and English-Wheat used the same card to make at least four withdrawals in October 2025, police said.—
Bailey Richards,
PEOPLE,
9 May 2026
-
At the same time, required minimum distributions (RMDs), which determine when withdrawals must begin from certain retirement accounts, can become more relevant as individuals approach later stages of retirement.—
Jason Phillips,
USA Today,
8 May 2026
Noun
-
That measure focuses primarily on pavement condition, Bhatt said, including factors like surface imperfections and depressions in the road.—
Rose Evans
May 11,
Idaho Statesman,
11 May 2026
-
The depressions in watermelon around seeds are also more liable to decay than the solid flesh of seedless types.—
Joshua Siskin,
Oc Register,
7 May 2026
Noun
-
The combination of the shutdown, colleagues’ retirements, and policy changes had left her depleted and often physically sick.—
E. Tammy Kim,
New Yorker,
7 May 2026
-
The bank has said retirements, people having fewer babies and the administration's mass deportation efforts are the likely causes.—
James Osborne,
Houston Chronicle,
6 May 2026
Noun
-
The five retreats below — recognized for everything from beginner-friendly yoga to celebrity-grade fitness programming — span coast to coast and price points from accessible to splurge.—
Lauren Schuster,
Sacbee.com,
9 May 2026
-
The property management company, Atlantic Hospitality, also oversees popular area retreats including Sandy Pines Campground in Kennebunkport and Salt Cottages in Bar Harbor.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
7 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Recessions.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/recessions. Accessed 12 May. 2026.
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