recessions

Definition of recessionsnext
plural of recession
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

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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

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Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of recessions That baseline held through wars, recessions, assassinations, stagflation, and 9/11. Nick Lichtenberg, Fortune, 3 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 The restaurants that endure here — through recessions, the pandemic and waves of rapid development — do so because customers keep walking through their doors. Chyna Blackmon, Charlotte Observer, 15 Apr. 2026 People who have come of age since 2007 have not had that confidence—two severe recessions, one bout of inflation, and now a third recession apparently imminent and another second bout of inflation apparently imminent. David Frum, The Atlantic, 8 Apr. 2026 These are firms that have survived recessions, world wars, colonial collapses, and technological revolutions. Big Think, 31 Mar. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for recessions
Noun
  • 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
  • Some of it can be attributed to luck, and some to facing teams in the midst of horrific slumps, such as the New York Mets and Phillies.
    Paul Sullivan, Chicago Tribune, 26 Apr. 2026
Noun
  • That followed an aborted attempt last November to merge two of its funds, including one that had restricted withdrawals.
    Tobias Burns, CNBC, 2 May 2026
  • Non-qualified withdrawals must be reported on the tax return of the account owner, or the beneficiary’s tax return.
    Elliot Raphaelson, The Orlando Sentinel, 1 May 2026
Noun
  • Fill in depressions in the gravel.
    Lee Wallender, The Spruce, 30 Apr. 2026
  • Prairie-chickens build their nests in shallow depressions on the open prairie, typically about one mile away from the booming ground.
    Laura Baisas, Popular Science, 29 Apr. 2026
Noun
  • University leaders expect as many as 150 job cuts through retirements, layoffs and eliminating vacancies.
    JT Moodee Lockman, CBS News, 29 Apr. 2026
  • Last week, there were reports in at least three other counties — Brevard, Leon and Palm Beach — that 2026 court elections were being canceled as resignations and retirements of circuit court judges, right before the qualifying period, created vacancies that mandate gubernatorial appointments.
    Norine Dworkin, The Orlando Sentinel, 27 Apr. 2026
Noun
  • Six-figure salaries were still common for officers and their relatives, as were fine dining, stays in posh hotels and expensive hunting retreats.
    Judy L. Thomas, Kansas City Star, 2 May 2026
  • Stem is among the early waves of people participating in legal retreats in the United States built around the drug.
    Maureen O'Hare, CNN Money, 2 May 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Recessions.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/recessions. Accessed 7 May. 2026.

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