winter

noun

ˈwin-tər How to pronounce winter (audio)
Definition of winternext
as in lull
a period of often involuntary inactivity or idleness during the long winter when the party was out of power, it had plenty of time to reconsider its political priorities

Synonyms & Similar Words

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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 winter Fewer entertainment options, particularly in fall and winter in the upper Midwest, lead to more focused interest on the local NFL team. — Ian Miller Outkick, FOXNews.com, 18 Aug. 2026 During heavy winter swells, waves 20 to 30 feet high can slam against the cliffs. — Clara Harter, Los Angeles Times, 18 Aug. 2026 In February, he was admitted to a hospital in Spain’s Canary Islands during a winter vacation. — ABC News, 18 Aug. 2026 The National Oceanographic and Atmospheric Administration’s own climate model, the Climate Forecast System (CFSv2), is one of a number of climate models pointing to a wetter than normal winter. — Sean MacAday, Sacbee.com, 18 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for winter
Recent Examples of Synonyms for winter
  1. lull
  2. break
  3. downtime
  4. layoff
  5. recess
Noun
  • Central Florida, though, went through a decade-long lull after 2004 before enduring several years in a row with hurricanes in the last decade.
    — Richard Tribou, The Orlando Sentinel, 13 Aug. 2026
  • Shipping threats rise despite war lull, analysts warn Oil prices fell Monday even as diplomatic efforts to end the US-Iran war and reopen the Strait of Hormuz sputtered.
    — semafor.com, semafor.com, 3 Aug. 2026
Definition of lull
Noun
  • Give Rice a break Maybe the Yankees can’t sit Rice on Sunday against Dylan Cease, perhaps the best righty starter in the league not named Schilttler.
    — Brendan Kuty, New York Times, 16 Aug. 2026
  • The risk is trying to fix everything at once or overhelping until your own system breaks.
    — Tarot.com, Chicago Tribune, 15 Aug. 2026
Definition of break
Noun
  • The downtime is a natural consequence of Sunshine State conditions versus a wooden coaster, said Cory Lytle, tech services director at Legoland Florida Resort in Winter Haven.
    — Dewayne Bevil, The Orlando Sentinel, 12 Aug. 2026
  • There may be downtime during the transition, which Amazon Game Studios will communicate as developments continue.
    — Tanya Fedak, Variety, 12 Aug. 2026
Definition of downtime
Noun
  • That cost millions of layoffs, but helped propel China to overtake Japan as the second-largest economy behind the United States in 2010.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 12 Aug. 2026
  • But that line of reasoning did not resonate with the Service Employees International Union, which represents about 6,000 Sharp employees, 81 of whom received layoff notices Tuesday.
    — Paul Sisson, San Diego Union-Tribune, 12 Aug. 2026
Definition of layoff
Noun
  • Clopay’s VertiStack Avante doors replace traditional overhead tracks with vertically stacking panels that tuck above the opening or into a ceiling recess.
    — Better Homes & Gardens, Better Homes & Gardens, 14 Aug. 2026
  • After Stonebridge's testimony, judge William Sullivan called for a short recess before court resumed for Olson to take the stand.
    — Melina Khan, USA Today, 13 Aug. 2026
Definition of recess

Browse Nearby Words

wins (over)
winter
winterly
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Winter.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/winter. Accessed 19 Aug. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on winter

Nglish: Translation of winter for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about winter

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