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
The shutdowns began last month on Art Rooney Avenue, West General Robinson Street and Scottland Avenue on the North Shore, and continued in the days leading up to the draft.
—
Michael Guise, CBS News, 22 Apr. 2026
While recent gas price increases can mostly be tied to conflict in the Iran war, the annual switch to summer-blend gasoline and refinery shutdowns are also pushing prices higher in California.
—Sacbee.com, 20 Apr. 2026
Mergen said recruitment to the DOJ had become harder over his decades there, as government shutdowns created anxiety about working at the department, and as nonprofits became more competitive in their salaries.
—Aysha Bagchi, USA Today, 19 Apr. 2026
The theater had remained in operation under Laemmle management even after it was sold during the COVID-19 pandemic, when widespread shutdowns forced difficult financial decisions across the exhibition industry.
—City News Service, Daily News, 18 Apr. 2026
Christine brings deep expertise and clarity to complex, fast-moving stories, from inflation and government shutdowns to the global impact of war and the forces shaping the modern economy.
—Ted Johnson, Deadline, 15 Apr. 2026
The economy has not bounced back following shutdowns due to the COVID-19 pandemic, followed by the twin labor strikes three years ago.
—Meg James, Los Angeles Times, 13 Apr. 2026
In the months and years that followed, the BNP called on Bangladeshis to oppose the AL through non-electoral means, including strikes, shutdowns, and violent protests.
—Nick Tabor, Encyclopedia Britannica, 13 Apr. 2026
The president is expected to depart Miami for Washington sometime Sunday, which would mean another round of highway shutdowns, possibly on Northwest 36th Street and State Road 112 on the way back to the Miami airport.
—Miami Herald Staff, Miami Herald, 10 Apr. 2026
Michael Guise, CBS News, 22 Apr. 2026
While recent gas price increases can mostly be tied to conflict in the Iran war, the annual switch to summer-blend gasoline and refinery shutdowns are also pushing prices higher in California.
—Sacbee.com, 20 Apr. 2026
Mergen said recruitment to the DOJ had become harder over his decades there, as government shutdowns created anxiety about working at the department, and as nonprofits became more competitive in their salaries.
—Aysha Bagchi, USA Today, 19 Apr. 2026
The theater had remained in operation under Laemmle management even after it was sold during the COVID-19 pandemic, when widespread shutdowns forced difficult financial decisions across the exhibition industry.
—City News Service, Daily News, 18 Apr. 2026
Christine brings deep expertise and clarity to complex, fast-moving stories, from inflation and government shutdowns to the global impact of war and the forces shaping the modern economy.
—Ted Johnson, Deadline, 15 Apr. 2026
The economy has not bounced back following shutdowns due to the COVID-19 pandemic, followed by the twin labor strikes three years ago.
—Meg James, Los Angeles Times, 13 Apr. 2026
In the months and years that followed, the BNP called on Bangladeshis to oppose the AL through non-electoral means, including strikes, shutdowns, and violent protests.
—Nick Tabor, Encyclopedia Britannica, 13 Apr. 2026
The president is expected to depart Miami for Washington sometime Sunday, which would mean another round of highway shutdowns, possibly on Northwest 36th Street and State Road 112 on the way back to the Miami airport.
—Miami Herald Staff, Miami Herald, 10 Apr. 2026
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
-
During the seven- or eight-month process of editing a movie, there are often different approaches to endings and to beginnings as well.—
Brian Davids,
HollywoodReporter,
20 Apr. 2026
-
As in the less conclusive first season, it feels engineered to deliver the characters to happy, or relatively happy, endings, and to send viewers out not regretting their investment of time.—
Robert Lloyd,
Boston Herald,
19 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Soccer’s governing bodies have struggled for decades to eliminate racial abuse despite heavy fines, stadium closures, points deductions, halted matches and bans for both fans and players who break the rules.—
Carlos Rodriguez,
Chicago Tribune,
21 Apr. 2026
-
The school district has the master plan shared online with a full list of closures and plans for each district building.—
Tom Dougherty,
CBS News,
21 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
The stoppages allow for weird moments of drama and the emergence of characters.—
Louisa Thomas,
New Yorker,
12 Apr. 2026
-
Much of the work will take place between the two major closures, PennDOT said, adding that crews will keep a lane open in both directions, except for intermittent 15-minute stoppages.—
Ricky Sayer,
CBS News,
6 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Everything is harder on both ends without the unanimous Defensive Player of the Year.—
Dan Santaromita,
New York Times,
23 Apr. 2026
-
Gardner’s physicality and energy on both ends of the court led to him playing in 45 games this regular season after not playing in any NBA games prior to getting to the Heat last offseason.—
Anthony Chiang,
Miami Herald,
23 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Shutdowns.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/shutdowns. Accessed 25 Apr. 2026.
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