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
Unlike in past lengthy shutdowns, air traffic controllers — a group that has played a role in ending past lapses — are funded.
—
Al Weaver, The Hill, 17 Feb. 2026
Internet shutdowns, mass arrests, intimidation through mourning and fear have crushed public mobilization — while negotiations with powerful states restore the regime’s standing on the global stage.
—Pegah Banihashemi, Chicago Tribune, 15 Feb. 2026
During past shutdowns, disruptions to air travel tended to build over time, not overnight.
—ABC News, 14 Feb. 2026
Tax deadlines do not change during government shutdowns, and people are still required to file returns by the deadline even if the government closes.
—Marley Malenfant, Austin American Statesman, 14 Feb. 2026
Darrell English, who leads the union for TSA agents in Illinois and Wisconsin, said the toll of multiple shutdowns could have lasting effects for the agency to retain workers.
—Victor Jacobo, CBS News, 14 Feb. 2026
Unlike other shutdowns, air traffic controllers will not be affected this time because they are funded by the Department of Transportation.
—Dave Goldiner, New York Daily News, 13 Feb. 2026
Earmarks included in fiscal year 2026 bills were delayed as Congress worked through a tumultuous funding process in recent months that led to two government shutdowns — a record-long one in the fall and another that closed half a dozen agencies for a few days in January.
—Lisa Hagen, Hartford Courant, 13 Feb. 2026
Returning to regular order and fiscal discipline will prevent shutdowns.
—Charlotte Observer, 11 Feb. 2026
Al Weaver, The Hill, 17 Feb. 2026
Internet shutdowns, mass arrests, intimidation through mourning and fear have crushed public mobilization — while negotiations with powerful states restore the regime’s standing on the global stage.
—Pegah Banihashemi, Chicago Tribune, 15 Feb. 2026
During past shutdowns, disruptions to air travel tended to build over time, not overnight.
—ABC News, 14 Feb. 2026
Tax deadlines do not change during government shutdowns, and people are still required to file returns by the deadline even if the government closes.
—Marley Malenfant, Austin American Statesman, 14 Feb. 2026
Darrell English, who leads the union for TSA agents in Illinois and Wisconsin, said the toll of multiple shutdowns could have lasting effects for the agency to retain workers.
—Victor Jacobo, CBS News, 14 Feb. 2026
Unlike other shutdowns, air traffic controllers will not be affected this time because they are funded by the Department of Transportation.
—Dave Goldiner, New York Daily News, 13 Feb. 2026
Earmarks included in fiscal year 2026 bills were delayed as Congress worked through a tumultuous funding process in recent months that led to two government shutdowns — a record-long one in the fall and another that closed half a dozen agencies for a few days in January.
—Lisa Hagen, Hartford Courant, 13 Feb. 2026
Returning to regular order and fiscal discipline will prevent shutdowns.
—Charlotte Observer, 11 Feb. 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
-
The abrupt disruption resulted in chip shortages and production halts at several automakers.—
Sarah Jacob,
Bloomberg,
14 Jan. 2026
-
Conflict in Yemen has prompted air traffic halts — leaving about 600 tourists stranded on a remote island.—
Ashley J. DiMella,
FOXNews.com,
6 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
Whereas a total solar eclipse is often associated with clean breaks or definitive endings, an annular eclipse often points to processes that unfold in stages.—
Christina Pérez,
Vogue,
16 Feb. 2026
-
Astronomers are used to dramatic endings.—
Rupendra Brahambhatt,
Interesting Engineering,
15 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
There also are no school closures in the current budget plan despite an enrollment decline from nearly 500,000 in 2018-19, just before the COVID-19 pandemic, to about 390,000 this year.—
Howard Blume,
Los Angeles Times,
18 Feb. 2026
-
Major highways — including long stretches of I‑80 — have also been closed, with widespread chain controls, flight cancellations, and school closures across parts of the Sierra and western Nevada.—
James Ward,
USA Today,
18 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
There's no official start time, and the time Bad Bunny takes the stage depends on clock stoppages, penalties, timeouts and injuries during the first half of the game.—
Edward Segarra,
USA Today,
8 Feb. 2026
-
While there’s no official start time, the time Bad Bunny takes the stage will depend on clock stoppages, penalties, timeouts and injuries during the game itself.—
Alex Perry,
Cincinnati Enquirer,
5 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
But the characters are expressive, and the medium is used to unreal ends, which is, after all, what cartoons are good for.—
Television Critic,
Los Angeles Times,
20 Feb. 2026
-
Guards Naomi Panganiban and Natalia Martinez triggered runs at the ends of both halves Wednesday night at Viejas Arena as San Diego State’s women’s team defeated UNLV 80-62 to widen the Aztecs’ lead in the Mountain West Conference race to three games with four games to play.—
Bill Center,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
19 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Shutdowns.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/shutdowns. Accessed 20 Feb. 2026.
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