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

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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 unit can be awakened at any point during that time-out window by tapping the power button – which should return to the last used function. New Atlas, 9 Jan. 2026 But what, or rather who, was in the containers continues to spark outrage due to claims that special needs children were placed in them during time-out sessions. James Powel, USA Today, 26 Dec. 2025 With the duel tied at 88-88, the Aces called time-out with five seconds left. Sean Gregory, Time, 10 Dec. 2025 What all those albums had in common was how those artists offered at least occasional time-outs from the trauma. Chris Willman, Variety, 26 Oct. 2025 See All Example Sentences for time-out
Recent Examples of Synonyms for time-out
Noun
  • Here, interior designers share how to use lighting to beat mid-winter blues, which can be as simple as switching out a light bulb.
    Shagun Khare, The Spruce, 15 Feb. 2026
  • Boston was running nearly 7 degrees Fahrenheit below average for February last week, and the city was on pace for its coldest winter in more than a decade.
    Dallas Morning News, Dallas Morning News, 15 Feb. 2026
Noun
  • Fears made three three-pointers in the first half and Michigan State took a 43-23 lead into the break.
    Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 18 Feb. 2026
  • Fears made three 3-pointers in the first half and Michigan State took a 43-23 lead into the break.
    Daily News, Daily News, 18 Feb. 2026
Noun
  • While deep plane facelifts sweep Hollywood, there’s also a boom in non- and minimally-invasive treatments promising tighter, younger looking skin, sharper contours and a revitalized appearance, without the downtime required after going under the knife.
    Elycia Rubin, HollywoodReporter, 13 Feb. 2026
  • This new series for A Peace of My mind began during what Noltner thought would be downtime in his hometown.
    Derek James, CBS News, 11 Feb. 2026
Noun
  • After a brief lull in precipitation Monday afternoon, snow levels drop to around 2000 feet Monday night into Tuesday, remaining low through Thursday.
    CA Weather Bot, Sacbee.com, 14 Feb. 2026
  • The idea has spawned a flurry of products which are helping their customers resist the temptation of automatically picking up their phone and scrolling social media during any and every lull in the day.
    Marco Quiroz-Gutierrez, Fortune, 13 Feb. 2026
Noun
  • Funding was eventually restored after a series of lawsuits challenging payment pauses, eligibility requirements, and requests from the federal government for sensitive citizen data.
    Isa Almeida, Oklahoman, 14 Feb. 2026
  • That pause in dopamine release signals a failure in reward arrival, a new kind of prediction error.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 13 Feb. 2026
Noun
  • Outside Washington, the classical music industry suffers the usual ups and downs, shocks and bumps, with layoffs at the Metropolitan Opera in New York and a reduced season ahead.
    Philip Kennicott, Washington Post, 20 Feb. 2026
  • But the changes have fallen short of triggering mass layoffs.
    Jake Angelo, Fortune, 19 Feb. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Time-out.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/time-out. Accessed 21 Feb. 2026.

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