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 child who broke the toy would likely be yelled at and sent to time-out by the authoritarian parent without much conversation beyond that.
—
Madeline Holcombe, CNN Money, 22 May 2025
Spock advised parents against scolding children, threatening them, punishing them, giving them time-outs, or shooting them cross looks.
—Hillary Kelly, The Atlantic, 5 May 2025
In any other circumstance, I would have been flustered, embarrassed, and ready to drag her out of there and straight into a time-out.
—Staff Author, Parents, 5 May 2025
Later flights and those from smaller airports are more susceptible to crew time-out issues.
—Zach Wichter, USA Today, 1 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for time-out
Madeline Holcombe, CNN Money, 22 May 2025
Spock advised parents against scolding children, threatening them, punishing them, giving them time-outs, or shooting them cross looks.
—Hillary Kelly, The Atlantic, 5 May 2025
In any other circumstance, I would have been flustered, embarrassed, and ready to drag her out of there and straight into a time-out.
—Staff Author, Parents, 5 May 2025
Later flights and those from smaller airports are more susceptible to crew time-out issues.
—Zach Wichter, USA Today, 1 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for time-out
Recent Examples of Synonyms for time-out
Noun
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Warm-season grasses are dormant in winter and have a flush of growth when spring arrives.—
Kim Toscano,
Southern Living,
17 Aug. 2025
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The scenic drive is open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. daily in summer, with last entry at 4:30 p.m. Hours are 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. with last entry at 2:30 p.m. in the winter.—
Michael Salerno,
AZCentral.com,
16 Aug. 2025
Noun
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This can significantly improve efficiency and reduce errors, making the 15-minute breaks a worthwhile investment in long-term productivity.—
Nancy Pulciano,
Rolling Stone,
6 Aug. 2025
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The Texas Tribune reported that Democrats spent around $10,000 a day on lodging and food during the walkout, paid by the House Democratic Caucus, additional fundraising around the quorum break, and out of lawmakers’ pockets.—
Rachael Dziaba,
ABC News,
6 Aug. 2025
Noun
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While 'solo' Predator and Alien flicks were having some downtime in the 2000s, both franchises were kept alive with comic books, video games, and the two divisive Alien vs. Predator movies.—
Fran Ruiz,
Space.com,
4 Aug. 2025
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Government agencies had an average of a month of downtime following ransomware attacks.—
Kathryn Kovalenko,
Twin Cities,
2 Aug. 2025
Noun
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It’s already been four years since the last James Bond movie, Daniel Craig’s Bond swan song, No Time to Die, was released in theaters, and, in that lull, there’s still no new actor cast as James Bond.—
Jason P. Frank,
Vulture,
1 Aug. 2025
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His teammates have tapered off into a midsummer lull, though.—
Steven Louis Goldstein,
New York Times,
30 July 2025
Noun
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The pause will not impact already existing valid visas, according to the memo, and some applications — including official and C-3 diplomatic visas — will continue to be processed.—
Shelby Talcott,
semafor.com,
7 Aug. 2025
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Blanching also preserves flavor, as though pressing the pause button on the aging process.—
The Washington Post,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
6 Aug. 2025
Noun
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The city is home to thousands of federal workers, and the mass layoffs under DOGE have already had a major impact on the city’s economy.—
Jill Colvin,
Chicago Tribune,
14 Aug. 2025
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These reforms may put additional strain on an already-buckling Department of Education, which was hit by mass layoffs earlier this spring that effectively cut the department’s workforce in half and likely has contributed to the existing backlogs.—
Adam S. Minsky,
Forbes.com,
13 Aug. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Time-out.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/time-out. Accessed 20 Aug. 2025.
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