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
Here, cops can decompress after a stressful event or take a brief time-out during a draining shift.
—
Katja Ridderbusch, NPR, 26 May 2025
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
See All Example Sentences for time-out
Katja Ridderbusch, NPR, 26 May 2025
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
See All Example Sentences for time-out
Recent Examples of Synonyms for time-out
Noun
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Wildfires are burning earlier and hotter out West, violent wind storms are snapping lines across the interior, and winter’s ice and snow aren’t far behind.—
Jennifer Jolly,
USA Today,
4 Sep. 2025
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Efforts to reduce spending in other areas have fallen flat, with a number of Labour Party lawmakers opposing cuts to welfare spending and winter fuel payments for pensioners.—
Holly Ellyatt,
CNBC,
3 Sep. 2025
Noun
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Overnight, crews will build hose lays along fire breaks and reinforce lines.—
CA WILDFIRE BOT,
Sacbee.com,
8 Sep. 2025
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The Tigers have been plagued by poor starting pitching, a thin bullpen and an offense that hasn’t played with the same spark since the All-Star break.—
Cody Stavenhagen,
New York Times,
8 Sep. 2025
Noun
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The winger spent time with family and took up new sports in golf and padel during his downtime.—
Roshane Thomas,
New York Times,
8 Sep. 2025
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General Motors' Spring Hill Assembly plant in Tennessee is planning several weeks of downtime in the coming months, according to a memo obtained by the Detroit Free Press, part of the USA TODAY Network.—
Jackie Charniga,
USA Today,
6 Sep. 2025
Noun
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After the current storm lull during the end of August and early September due in part to dusty, dry air and cool water in Hurricane Erin's wake, the threat of tropical cyclones is favored to return by the second half of the month and into October and even November, Merrill said.—
Doyle Rice,
USA Today,
2 Sep. 2025
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Shrek is in a monotonous lull with his kids, Fiona, Donkey, and even Puss in Boots.—
Skyler Trepel September 1,
EW.com,
1 Sep. 2025
Noun
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This pause led to a more strategic decision that ultimately benefited the company.—
Naz Beheshti,
Forbes.com,
8 Sep. 2025
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Job hopping has hit a pause as employees who might have left their companies previously are no longer able to find higher wages, according to a recent report from Bank of America.—
Suzanne Blake,
MSNBC Newsweek,
8 Sep. 2025
Noun
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Unifor said those layoffs would last through October.—
Jackie Charniga,
USA Today,
6 Sep. 2025
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Citing economic pressures, the museum reduced its staff earlier this year, with a total of eight positions affected either by layoffs or a reduction in pay and benefits.—
Jim Higgins,
jsonline.com,
5 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Time-out.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/time-out. Accessed 9 Sep. 2025.
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