as in cessations
the stopping of a process or activity
the factory resumed operation after a brief shutdown for repairs
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Recent Examples of shutdowns
Under Kennedy's legislation, senators would, like other employees, receive backpay after future shutdowns end.
—
Zachary Schermele, USA Today, 13 May 2026
Iran has repeatedly used internet shutdowns during periods of unrest, where access to the global internet is severely restricted or completely cut, making foreign websites and apps unreachable.
—Tim Lister, CNN Money, 10 May 2026
In addition, the film production economy hasn’t recovered from shutdowns during the 2023 labor strikes.
—Meg James, Los Angeles Times, 8 May 2026
Democrats say such internal oversight is particularly needed to prevent overcrowding in detention facilities, and delays in reporting detention deaths — especially during agency shutdowns.
—Ximena Bustillo, NPR, 7 May 2026
But why do internet shutdowns happen?
—Georgina Jedikovska, Interesting Engineering, 4 May 2026
Government shutdowns, foreign wars and disruptive intrusions into state economies and affairs have led to chaos in our energy markets.
—Linh Tat, Oc Register, 4 May 2026
Stimulus payments were sanctioned by Congress to help prop up the economy during COVID-19 shutdowns.
—Russ Wiles, The Arizona Republic, 23 Dec. 2024
Congress had flirted repeatedly with shutdowns over the past two years with Republicans in control of the House and Democrats the Senate.
—Carl Hulse, New York Times, 21 Dec. 2024
Zachary Schermele, USA Today, 13 May 2026
Iran has repeatedly used internet shutdowns during periods of unrest, where access to the global internet is severely restricted or completely cut, making foreign websites and apps unreachable.
—Tim Lister, CNN Money, 10 May 2026
In addition, the film production economy hasn’t recovered from shutdowns during the 2023 labor strikes.
—Meg James, Los Angeles Times, 8 May 2026
Democrats say such internal oversight is particularly needed to prevent overcrowding in detention facilities, and delays in reporting detention deaths — especially during agency shutdowns.
—Ximena Bustillo, NPR, 7 May 2026
But why do internet shutdowns happen?
—Georgina Jedikovska, Interesting Engineering, 4 May 2026
Government shutdowns, foreign wars and disruptive intrusions into state economies and affairs have led to chaos in our energy markets.
—Linh Tat, Oc Register, 4 May 2026
Stimulus payments were sanctioned by Congress to help prop up the economy during COVID-19 shutdowns.
—Russ Wiles, The Arizona Republic, 23 Dec. 2024
Congress had flirted repeatedly with shutdowns over the past two years with Republicans in control of the House and Democrats the Senate.
—Carl Hulse, New York Times, 21 Dec. 2024
Recent Examples of Synonyms for shutdowns
Noun
-
Temporary cessations of hostility, but no permanent closing of the moral and social divide between debtor and creditor, and no giving up on the thought that some lives matter more than others.—
Henry Freedland,
Harpers Magazine,
24 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
Former leaders warn that the loss of institutional knowledge, combined with halts to the incoming pipeline of public health workers, may lead to a long-term crisis.—
Pien Huang,
NPR,
25 Mar. 2026
-
Automotive industry analysts are forecasting that another microchip shortage could hit in the coming months, which could increase risks for production halts as costs skyrocket.—
Breana Noble,
Chicago Tribune,
10 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
In sports, especially, where career timelines are often compressed, the difference between abrupt endings and seamless transitions usually comes down to this kind of enterprise mindset.—
Sandra Richards,
Rolling Stone,
8 May 2026
-
This planet strips away illusions, forcing transformation through endings, intensity and uncomfortable truths.—
Valerie Mesa,
PEOPLE,
7 May 2026
Noun
-
People living in areas near the wildfires should monitor evacuation orders and road closures.—
Bianca Harris,
USA Today,
12 May 2026
-
Drivers can expect intermittent lane closures for the next few months.—
Ashley Grams,
CBS News,
12 May 2026
Noun
-
Most of the stoppages came by way of tap out.—
Brian Mazique,
Forbes.com,
10 May 2026
-
During the action, music played through the continuous stoppages, keeping the crowd engaged.—
PJ Green,
Kansas City Star,
18 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Carter was electric at both ends of the floor, leading the Aces with 27 points, shooting 13-for-16 from the field and adding eight rebounds, four assists and two steals.—
Emily Adams,
Hartford Courant,
14 May 2026
-
That has prompted more farms to embrace multiple business models to make ends meet.—
William Deffaa,
Baltimore Sun,
14 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Shutdowns.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/shutdowns. Accessed 16 May. 2026.
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