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 structured time-out catches the escalation window before the body takes over. — Mark Travers, Forbes.com, 26 May 2026 The move, effectively a brief legal time-out, will allow an appeals court panel time to consider equities on both sides of the dispute before considering whether or not to invalidate the tariffs while litigation continues. — Peter Charalambous, ABC News, 12 May 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 See All Example Sentences for time-out
Recent Examples of Synonyms for time-out
Noun
  • The state pension cost an estimated £146 billion in 2025-26; and another £31 billion or so went on pension credit, housing benefit for pensioners, the winter fuel allowance, and so on.
    — The Week UK, TheWeek, 4 Oct. 2026
  • Meanwhile, the Sky Blue offering features a light blue upper that’s contrasted with off-white and gray for a fitting fall-to-winter transitional look.
    — Riley Jones, Footwear News, 4 Oct. 2026
Noun
  • The high-collar silhouette, a stand-up neckline that extends several inches above the shoulders with no lapel break, is showing up on runways, in mass-market store windows and across editorial coverage heading into the colder months.
    — Lauren Schuster, Miami Herald, 2 Oct. 2026
  • In a break from her party’s policies, Peltola has thrown her support behind the Alaska LNG project as way to lower energy costs for Alaskans.
    — Stephanie Yang, CNN Money, 2 Oct. 2026
Noun
  • For industrial companies, that could mean reducing machine downtime, cutting excess inventory, improving first-time fix rates, or increasing production capacity.
    — Expert Panel®, Forbes.com, 2 Oct. 2026
  • By shifting more functionality into the target, FLARE is designed to enable a simpler, more robust driver, reducing component stress, maintenance and downtime.
    — Prabhat Ranjan Mishra, Interesting Engineering, 26 Sep. 2026
Noun
  • The Crimson Tide quieted concerns about slow starts and recovered from a third-quarter lull.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 26 Sep. 2026
  • Burns acknowledged owing $3,000 in rent after falling two weeks behind, citing a lull in business.
    — Tanasia Kenney, Charlotte Observer, 24 Sep. 2026
Noun
  • Customs and Border Protection paused all activity there, but that pause expired on September 30.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 2 Oct. 2026
  • Everyone stress-tests the checkout, then quietly buries returns, cancellations and subscription pauses.
    — Expert Panel®, Forbes.com, 2 Oct. 2026
Noun
  • The information is needed to understand who was affected by the layoffs and whether their rights were protected, Clark-Gunn noted.
    — Chaewon Chung, Sacbee.com, 30 Sep. 2026
  • Her departure is not related to a round of layoffs that hit Disney this week; those cuts came primarily in the company’s tech and human resources departments.
    — Rick Porter, HollywoodReporter, 30 Sep. 2026

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Time-out.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/time-out. Accessed 5 Oct. 2026.

Love words? Need even more definitions?

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