Definition of time-outnext
as in winter
a period of often involuntary inactivity or idleness we need to take a time-out from our relationship to think things over

Synonyms & Similar Words

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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 time-out The camera pans around the room to Tony Yayo, Dr. Dre, Eminem, Snoop Dogg and Ye, who is masked and seemingly sitting in the corner without a seat in time-out. Michael Saponara, Billboard, 11 Feb. 2026 Those two minutes in a time-out decades ago still guide how Richards leads today. Jasmine Browley, Forbes.com, 29 Jan. 2026 With the duel tied at 88-88, the Aces called time-out with five seconds left. Sean Gregory, Time, 10 Dec. 2025 What all those albums had in common was how those artists offered at least occasional time-outs from the trauma. Chris Willman, Variety, 26 Oct. 2025 See All Example Sentences for time-out
Recent Examples of Synonyms for time-out
Noun
  • Both are durable, standing up to the summer heat and rains, often lasting well into late fall or early winter.
    Tom MacCubbin, The Orlando Sentinel, 10 May 2026
  • The winter had been a season of calamities, with one emergency or challenge after another.
    Moira McCarthy, Boston Herald, 10 May 2026
Noun
  • Clave Especial is finally taking a break.
    Andrea Flores, Los Angeles Times, 13 May 2026
  • Gonzalez Rogers thanked the jurors for their contributions, and then everyone filed out for a break.
    Ashley Capoot, CNBC, 12 May 2026
Noun
  • Trueno spoke to Rolling Stone about his love for contrasting moods, his collaboration with emerging rapper Milo J, and the downtime rituals that keep his sanity intact.
    Ernesto Lechner, Rolling Stone, 9 May 2026
  • As the Western New York metropolis awakens again, people have come to realize that all that downtime helped preserve the city’s classic architecture.
    CNN.com Wire Service, Mercury News, 8 May 2026
Noun
  • There’s typically an offseason lull with most players, so drops in price or sales volume aren’t abnormal this time of year for NFL players.
    Benjamin Burrows, New York Times, 10 May 2026
  • Amana Images Inc Sometimes, a lull in the mortgage interest rate climate can be a good thing for borrowers.
    Matt Richardson, CBS News, 8 May 2026
Noun
  • Chapman ended up getting turned around and tagged out, but his pause allowed Devers to score.
    Justice delos Santos, Mercury News, 9 May 2026
  • Bass, after a brief pause, also said yes.
    Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 9 May 2026
Noun
  • Other companies such as Meta, Block and Oracle have announced layoffs this year.
    Queenie Wong, Los Angeles Times, 8 May 2026
  • Although still early days, the adoption of AI is contributing to changes in the occupational mix; has been directly cited as a reason (or, perhaps, scapegoat) for layoffs; and has shown potential to influence economy-shaping dynamics such as productivity and wages.
    Alicia Wallace, CNN Money, 7 May 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Time-out.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/time-out. Accessed 14 May. 2026.

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