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
Relevance
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 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
-
In a winter filled with the unhappy buzz of screaming coaches and quitting players, a beautiful noise has appeared.—
Assistant Sports Editor,
Los Angeles Times,
9 Mar. 2026
-
The jacket layers easily under a winter coat, works well on its own in spring and fall, and is water-resistant for surprise rain.—
Rosie Marder,
Travel + Leisure,
8 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Despite the 17-point margin on paper, the outcome was up for grabs at the break.—
Cody Thorn,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
11 Mar. 2026
-
Leonard scored 10 in a row for the Clippers and Towns had eight straight for the Knicks, who trailed 64-55 at the break.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
10 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Many of the apps have since come back online after companies scrambled to migrate servers, but the downtime of services that many use daily highlights how digital infrastructure has become a strategic target.—
Kai Nicol-Schwarz,
CNBC,
6 Mar. 2026
-
During one of those downtime periods, Jackson started playing pickleball with some fellow firefighters.—
Dominick Williams
March 6,
Kansas City Star,
6 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Both teams had early goals before the game hit a scoring lull.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
8 Mar. 2026
-
So many terrible things happen that the reader develops a kind of flinch, bracing for the next calamity whenever there is a brief lull in the misery.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
5 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
As the road flows into Missouri, plan a leg-stretching pause at Meramec Caverns in the leafy Ozarks.—
Zoey Goto,
Travel + Leisure,
8 Mar. 2026
-
Denver’s mayor has already instituted a similar pause.—
Eric Schmidt,
Fortune,
6 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Back in 2016, the business halted a fiber expansion amid layoffs before jumpstarting them again in 2022.—
Michael Kan,
PC Magazine,
12 Mar. 2026
-
Applications for unemployment benefits inched down modestly last week as layoffs remain at historically healthy levels despite a weakening job market.—
Matt Ott,
Los Angeles Times,
12 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Time-out.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/time-out. Accessed 14 Mar. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
