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

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 Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) said new regulations involving the use of time-out go into effect in August 2026. Cheryl Fiandaca, CBS News, 8 Apr. 2026 That’s with two new coaches in the league, including one new coach who never called a time-out. Brian Robin, Oc Register, 3 Apr. 2026 You might be caught up trying to nurture someone (or something) while secretly needing a time-out for yourself. Valerie Mesa, PEOPLE, 2 Apr. 2026 With the duel tied at 88-88, the Aces called time-out with five seconds left. Sean Gregory, Time, 10 Dec. 2025 See All Example Sentences for time-out
Recent Examples of Synonyms for time-out
Noun
  • In doing so, MLS changes its primary player acquisition window from winter (December/January) to summer (June/July).
    John Cassillo, Forbes.com, 5 Aug. 2026
  • Covid vaccines roughly halved the chances that a US adult would need to visit the emergency room or be hospitalized with their infections last fall and winter, one study found.
    Deidre McPhillips, CNN Money, 4 Aug. 2026
Noun
  • Now in the back half of summer break, the couple are calling for additional support to keep their program funded until the beginning of the school year.
    Alana Al-Hatlani, Southern Living, 2 Aug. 2026
  • Punk connected with the GTS again, but was too close to the ropes so Rhodes got the rope break at the very last second.
    Blake Oestriecher, Forbes.com, 2 Aug. 2026
Noun
  • There’s little downtime, with the group performing several takes of them singing and dancing live for the cameras, but the members of IVE find a few moments of rest.
    Nicole Fell, HollywoodReporter, 1 Aug. 2026
  • In her downtime, the singer has also attended award shows, film and music festivals, and fashion shows, all while showing off an array of designer shoes.
    Karla Rodriguez, Footwear News, 31 July 2026
Noun
  • After an inevitable lull left a growing number of warehouses vacant, the industrial real estate sector is getting hot again.
    Zachary Hansen, AJC.com, 31 July 2026
  • The latest round of attacks marked the end of a brief lull in fighting.
    Zac Anderson, USA Today, 30 July 2026
Noun
  • The pause, which began July 23, was intended to give negotiations another chance, but progress on talks has not materialized.
    Joey Garrison, USA Today, 3 Aug. 2026
  • After a nine-month pause, Houthi militants in Yemen allied to Iran resumed attacks on vessels in the Red Sea on July 22, 2026, directly targeting the group’s longtime foe Saudi Arabia.
    Kristian Coates Ulrichsen, The Conversation, 3 Aug. 2026
Noun
  • The layoffs represent about 2% of Wellstar’s workforce of more than 35,000 employees, according to a statement provided to The Atlanta Journal-Constitution.
    Amy Wenk, AJC.com, 29 July 2026
  • But that contraction also reflects pressures driving factory closures and layoffs at an unprecedented rate.
    Jasmin Malik Chua, Footwear News, 29 July 2026

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Time-out.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/time-out. Accessed 6 Aug. 2026.

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster