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
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Recent Examples of time-out
The unit can be awakened at any point during that time-out window by tapping the power button – which should return to the last used function.
—
New Atlas, 9 Jan. 2026
But what, or rather who, was in the containers continues to spark outrage due to claims that special needs children were placed in them during time-out sessions.
—James Powel, USA Today, 26 Dec. 2025
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
New Atlas, 9 Jan. 2026
But what, or rather who, was in the containers continues to spark outrage due to claims that special needs children were placed in them during time-out sessions.
—James Powel, USA Today, 26 Dec. 2025
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
-
Locals clamor after day passes to the rooftop pool in the summer—a way to cosplay as a European jetsetter for the afternoon—and reservations for heated igloos in the winter.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
2 Mar. 2026
-
Earlier in the winter, there were as many as 43 states.—
Washington Examiner Staff,
The Washington Examiner,
2 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Others are fine with them, but still occasionally need a break.—
Desireé Oostland,
Vogue,
4 Mar. 2026
-
Parker Kelly scored two goals and Scott Wedgewood made 27 saves for the Avalanche, who have won three straight and four of five since the Olympic break.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
4 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Unbeknownst to Anthony, the entire experience is staged, every colleague around him is performing a role, and each moment—whether in conference rooms or during downtime—has been meticulously orchestrated.—
Jessica Radloff,
Glamour,
1 Mar. 2026
-
Mann helped rally the group for a trip to the Georgia Aquarium, turning downtime into something that kept the team together rather than isolated.—
C.J. Holmes,
New York Daily News,
1 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
And not have lulls at this point.—
Kristian Winfield,
Hartford Courant,
1 Mar. 2026
-
After years of powering the market on the promise of revolutionizing productivity, tech and AI stocks have hit a lull.—
John Towfighi,
CNN Money,
27 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
There's been a pause on issuing them ever since.—
Jeff Wagner,
CBS News,
27 Feb. 2026
-
The Wild entered the NHL’s three-week Olympic break on a heater, going 8-1-1 in their final 10 games before the pause.—
Jess Myers,
Twin Cities,
27 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Mass layoffs in the tech industry started in 2022, after a hiring surge during the pandemic, when demand for online services increased as people were stuck at home.—
Queenie Wong,
Los Angeles Times,
6 Mar. 2026
-
January’s stronger-than-expected total was likely buoyed by some one-time factors (notably, weaker holiday hiring that meant fewer post-holiday layoffs, and unseasonably warm weather in the early part of the month that boosted industries like construction).—
Alicia Wallace,
CNN Money,
6 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Time-out.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/time-out. Accessed 6 Mar. 2026.
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