as in vacation
a period of time during which someone does not work at their regular job
Several professors will be taking sabbaticals this year. She recently returned to work after a two-year sabbatical from her acting career.
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Recent Examples of sabbatical
Turner gave manager Dave Bristol a 10-day sabbatical, signed a managerial contract of his own and led the team during a Wednesday night game against the Pirates.
—
Andrew Greif, NBC news, 6 May 2026
Some are on sabbatical from their jobs and are slowly talking themselves into quitting.
—Tim Brinkhof, Time, 4 May 2026
Mostly in the Palisades with intermittent sabbaticals from my dad.
—Charles Bethea, New Yorker, 26 Apr. 2026
The medical drama's season 2 finale ended on a cliffhanger Thursday, April 16, with Wyle's character pondering a three-month sabbatical and a motorcycle ride across the country.
—Brenton Blanchet, PEOPLE, 17 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for sabbatical
Andrew Greif, NBC news, 6 May 2026
Some are on sabbatical from their jobs and are slowly talking themselves into quitting.
—Tim Brinkhof, Time, 4 May 2026
Mostly in the Palisades with intermittent sabbaticals from my dad.
—Charles Bethea, New Yorker, 26 Apr. 2026
The medical drama's season 2 finale ended on a cliffhanger Thursday, April 16, with Wyle's character pondering a three-month sabbatical and a motorcycle ride across the country.
—Brenton Blanchet, PEOPLE, 17 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for sabbatical
Recent Examples of Synonyms for sabbatical
Noun
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Kentucky's Cave Country Kentucky’s Cave Country offers a quintessentially American and budget-friendly family vacation.—
Dave Parfitt,
USA Today,
30 May 2026
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This darling pair of Dolce Vita sandals has the prettiest beaded embellishment for all of your vacation wear needs.—
Reece Andavolgyi,
InStyle,
30 May 2026
Noun
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Mark my words, Rosewood will make travelers start regarding Phuket as a tasteful destination, to tack on as the beach break during trips to Bangkok or Singapore.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
3 June 2026
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Despite the quick start, Vegas did catch a major break on a fortunate bounce to cut the lead to 2-1, a goal that was credited to Shea Theodore.—
Matt Reigle,
FOXNews.com,
3 June 2026
Noun
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In addition to layoffs, Bell is entering a four-week furlough period for certain staff on the MV-75 team that begins June 14.—
Mary Ella Hastings,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
3 June 2026
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One that would restore medical parole and medical furlough as exceptions to the elimination of parole recently passed.—
Richard A. Webster,
ProPublica,
22 May 2026
Noun
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Plant them at least 12 inches apart from each other and bury them completely in soil, leaving only the leaves exposed.—
Asia London Palomba,
The Spruce,
31 May 2026
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Gilgeous-Alexander’s rulebook for winning leaves little room for runners-up.—
Joel Lorenzi,
New York Times,
31 May 2026
Noun
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Then, there are the aforementioned films — a holiday comedy and horror comedy, which are slated for 2027 and 2028, respectively.—
Matt Grobar,
Deadline,
4 June 2026
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Walking holidays are surging across Europe and North America as travelers swap rushed city-hopping for slower, scenic routes — and the inn-to-inn walking tour has emerged as one of the most popular ways to do it.—
Hanna Wickes,
Kansas City Star,
4 June 2026
Noun
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Consequently, there was no hidden trove of economic liberty that Lynn’s acolytes could unlock with more determined regulation.—
Jonathan Chait,
The Atlantic,
26 May 2026
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The Vatican insists that a later bull, Sublimis Deus in 1537, reaffirmed that Indigenous peoples shouldn’t be deprived of their liberty or the possession of their property, and weren’t to be enslaved.—
Nicole Winfield,
Los Angeles Times,
25 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Sabbatical.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/sabbatical. Accessed 6 Jun. 2026.
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