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
In addition, Invincible VS has a cool way to prevent time-outs and keep its aggressive play going: Sudden Death.
—
PC Magazine, 9 Aug. 2025
There, leadership teams take a time-out to question legacy thinking and ways of relating to each other and their stakeholders.
—Karyn Gallant, Forbes.com, 8 July 2025
Tsitsipas, who did not break any rules, also left court to go to the bathroom at the end of the second set and had a medical time-out for treatment on a foot injury before the fourth.
—Charlie Eccleshare, New York Times, 8 July 2025
An authoritarian might glare sternly and immediately move to a time-out or spanking or to send their child to bed hungry.
—Madeline Holcombe, CNN Money, 22 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for time-out
PC Magazine, 9 Aug. 2025
There, leadership teams take a time-out to question legacy thinking and ways of relating to each other and their stakeholders.
—Karyn Gallant, Forbes.com, 8 July 2025
Tsitsipas, who did not break any rules, also left court to go to the bathroom at the end of the second set and had a medical time-out for treatment on a foot injury before the fourth.
—Charlie Eccleshare, New York Times, 8 July 2025
An authoritarian might glare sternly and immediately move to a time-out or spanking or to send their child to bed hungry.
—Madeline Holcombe, CNN Money, 22 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for time-out
Recent Examples of Synonyms for time-out
Noun
-
Just about every corner of North America has experienced a super-sized helping of continentality in this winter’s weather.—
Paul Cappiello,
Louisville Courier Journal,
9 Jan. 2026
-
Caslon Cashmere Crewneck Sweater At $77, this sweater proves that adding cashmere to your winter wardrobe isn’t the intimidating investment it’s made out to be.—
Izzy Baskette,
PEOPLE,
9 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
When down 0-40 in the third game of the match after an exchange of breaks, Rybakina was able to serve her way out of trouble, helped by a first of 11 aces.—
Charlie Eccleshare,
New York Times,
28 Jan. 2026
-
But the Wolves shot 65% from the field in the second quarter to lead by 15 at the break and never looked back, building a lead of as many as 32 points.—
Jace Frederick,
Twin Cities,
27 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
The company says this approach can support sustainability goals by reducing inefficiencies tied to excess vehicles, downtime, and energy use.—
Neetika Walter,
Interesting Engineering,
10 Jan. 2026
-
Matchmaking will be disabled 30 minutes before downtime begins.—
Robbie Farias,
Austin American Statesman,
9 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
Emilee Chinn / Getty Images Activity hit a lull after Edwin Díaz was introduced as the Los Angeles Dodgers’ new closer 26 days ago.—
Katie Woo,
New York Times,
7 Jan. 2026
-
Hornick, the diner’s owner, said that despite the Logan Square spot struggling for many months — some days having a two-hour lull without a single customer — servers would turn a switch immediately as the door swung open.—
Zareen Syed,
Chicago Tribune,
5 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
The rechargeable lithium-ion battery inside the NODE 100 provides up to 1000+ hours of use from a single charge, which means fewer pauses to top up on power.—
Mark Sparrow,
Forbes.com,
25 Jan. 2026
-
The City of Minneapolis is also filing a declaration in hopes a judge will issue a temporary restraining order to put a pause on the operation.—
WCCO Staff,
CBS News,
24 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
With the most recent round of layoffs at Meta, plenty of online commenters have been rushing to declare virtual reality and the metaverse dead.—
Cortney Harding,
Forbes.com,
29 Jan. 2026
-
With widespread layoffs expected at The Washington Post in the coming weeks, teams of reporters are sending impassioned letters to owner Jeff Bezos, urging him not to shrink the newsroom.—
Brian Stelter,
CNN Money,
29 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Time-out.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/time-out. Accessed 1 Feb. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
