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 camera pans around the room to Tony Yayo, Dr. Dre, Eminem, Snoop Dogg and Ye, who is masked and seemingly sitting in the corner without a seat in time-out.
—
Michael Saponara, Billboard, 11 Feb. 2026
Those two minutes in a time-out decades ago still guide how Richards leads today.
—Jasmine Browley, Forbes.com, 29 Jan. 2026
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
Michael Saponara, Billboard, 11 Feb. 2026
Those two minutes in a time-out decades ago still guide how Richards leads today.
—Jasmine Browley, Forbes.com, 29 Jan. 2026
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
-
In the winter cold, men climbed leafless trees to see the President-elect speak.—
Jill Lepore,
New Yorker,
4 May 2026
-
In it, Suu Kyi said little beyond describing the changing seasons from her cell in Myanmar's capital, Naypyidaw – from the discomforts of the cold in winter, to the summer heat.—
Lorcan Lovett,
NPR,
3 May 2026
Noun
-
Steele is now unlikely to rejoin the Cubs’ rotation until after the July All-Star break, Counsell estimated.—
Meghan Montemurro,
Chicago Tribune,
29 Apr. 2026
-
Wagner led the team at the halfway mark with 17 points, scoring 10 points in the paint before the break.—
Jason Beede,
The Orlando Sentinel,
28 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Meanwhile, the Hurricanes’ staff will use the time to find ways to exploit the Flyers while giving their players some downtime before the next task.—
Cory Lavalette,
New York Times,
1 May 2026
-
Nazem Kadri saw the Nuggets beat the Minnesota Timberwolves in Game 5, but otherwise just enjoyed his first extended downtime in Denver for a while after returning to the Avs before the trade deadline.—
Corey Masisak,
Denver Post,
30 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Say goodbye to the mid-summer lull with the unstoppable flower power of these garden superstars.—
Kim Toscano,
Southern Living,
3 May 2026
-
But that lull appears to be near its end, with both campaigns and the pro-Cornyn Super PAC Texans for a Conservative Majority now spending heavily to book up large blocks of television ads ahead of the May 26 runoff.—
James Osborne,
Houston Chronicle,
1 May 2026
Noun
-
Manny fields it, kind of checks and gets the pause, throws it to second.—
Kevin Acee,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
2 May 2026
-
For savers, the Fed's ongoing rate pause has effectively preserved an unusually favorable rate environment, one where yields on certificates of deposit (CDs), high-yield savings accounts and money market accounts remain well above the long-term historical average.—
Angelica Leicht,
CBS News,
1 May 2026
Noun
-
That duplication has raised concerns about staff consolidations and widespread newsroom layoffs.—
Meg James,
Los Angeles Times,
1 May 2026
-
Lilly said in a video post reacting to reports of Marvel layoffs amid a larger Disney pivot to AI.—
Zack Sharf,
Variety,
30 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Time-out.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/time-out. Accessed 6 May. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
