sabbatical

noun

Definition of sabbaticalnext
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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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 sabbatical In the episode, Addison pulls her former sister-in-law, Amelia (Caterina Scorsone), out of her sabbatical to assist with a consult on a pregnant woman. — Erin Clack, PEOPLE, 16 Aug. 2026 On his sabbatical, DiDonna walked 900 miles on pilgrimage in Shikoku, Japan. — Big Think, 6 Aug. 2026 Greg Brockman, the cofounder and president of OpenAI, has been with Sam Altman for the startup’s entire history, including during Altman’s brief 2023 ousting as CEO, only taking a short sabbatical late last year. — Alyson Shontell, Fortune, 25 July 2026 Almost no one can afford to take a sabbatical immediately, but make a plan for five to seven years from now and begin to budget and strategize to make the logistics work. — Dj Didonna, Time, 13 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for sabbatical
Recent Examples of Synonyms for sabbatical
  1. vacation
  2. break
  3. furlough
  4. leave
  5. holiday
  6. liberty
Noun
  • Kaufman said Rivera stopped working for the mayor’s office in April, then received unused vacation pay for another four months.
    — David Zahniser, Los Angeles Times, 26 Oct. 2026
  • As anyone who has ever planned a family vacation knows, booking a home that satisfies all of your party’s needs is a true art.
    — Rachel Fletcher, Condé Nast Traveler, 26 Oct. 2026
Definition of vacation
Noun
  • The league has agreed to an extended All-Star break to accommodate the Olympics, but MLB also could tire of waiting for the union to agree with LA28, which badly wants MLB players to participate.
    — Bill Shaikin, Los Angeles Times, 24 Oct. 2026
  • After the break, Colleyville Heritage wide receiver Trevi Preische’s 10-yard TD reception helped the Panthers make some progress, but a 23-yard score from Caldwell put Argyle’s lead back to three-scores.
    — Charles Baggarly, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 24 Oct. 2026
Definition of break
Noun
  • Layoffs, unpaid staff furloughs and school closures probably are ahead as the leaders downsize operations.
    — Howard Blume, Los Angeles Times, 16 Sep. 2026
  • Pilots, flight attendants and other aviation workers faced pay cuts and furloughs from the decrease in flyers.
    — Kathleen Wong, USA Today, 3 Sep. 2026
Definition of furlough
Noun
  • Iceland, long a leader in gender equality, subsidizes childcare, legislates equal wages, gives paid parental leave to both men and women, and has a gender equality act that includes a quota for women on boards.
    — Christine Ledbetter, Chicago Tribune, 28 Oct. 2026
  • Leave the Leaves Only clear areas like lawn and walkways, but otherwise, leave the leaves.
    — Nadia Hassani, The Spruce, 28 Oct. 2026
Definition of leave
Noun
  • My 80-year-old mother and 87-year-old father were singing Hindu prayers to celebrate one of the most important holidays of our faith.
    — Raja Krishnamoorthi, Chicago Tribune, 28 Oct. 2026
  • But there is a lot more to becoming holiday-ready than surviving on raw kale like a woodland creature.
    — Juhi Wadia, PC Magazine, 28 Oct. 2026
Definition of holiday
Noun
  • Lee knows that the liberties of fiction do not absolve him of a responsibility to tell the truth.
    — Justin Chang, New Yorker, 23 Oct. 2026
  • Stifling the public’s access to information necessary to help cast informed votes is a loss for American democracy and the most basic of personal liberties.
    — Editorial Board, Washington Post, 20 Oct. 2026
Definition of liberty

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sabbatical
sabbaticals
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Cite this Entry

“Sabbatical.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/sabbatical. Accessed 30 Oct. 2026.

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