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

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 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 Later flights and those from smaller airports are more susceptible to crew time-out issues. Zach Wichter, USA Today, 1 May 2025 The Lakers were up by one again, with just three seconds left, and the Bulls had no time-outs. Hanif Abdurraqib, New Yorker, 13 Apr. 2025 For instance, time-out reminders, focus modes and little nudges to take breaks can make a difference. Expert Panel®, Forbes, 20 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for time-out
Recent Examples of Synonyms for time-out
Noun
  • Birds also love the variety of berries that mature in fall and persist into winter.
    Luke Miller, Better Homes & Gardens, 11 July 2025
  • In a mild winter, they have been known to overwinter.
    arkansasonline.com, arkansasonline.com, 11 July 2025
Noun
  • Elsewhere, a late summer to late spring schedule is the norm—though several European leagues require multi-week winter breaks to avoid the worst temperatures.
    Jason Clinkscales, Sportico.com, 1 July 2025
  • But hosting a dinner party for your family-money-wealthy English boyfriend and his colleagues during a heatwave when the fridge breaks, alcohol flows, and an unexpected guest shows up?
    Literary Hub July 1, Literary Hub, 1 July 2025
Noun
  • Things got better for Deschanel from then on with the help of Hanson, who made sure to get her a bigger trailer for more privacy, and more downtime to work on lines.
    EW.com, EW.com, 12 July 2025
  • Still, several weeks of downtime is unusual for a factory that makes GM’s most popular models.
    Mike Colias, Freep.com, 11 July 2025
Noun
  • In the depths of life’s lulls, it was forgotten, left in a bun for days, dry, untouched.
    Sophie Meharenna, Allure, 2 July 2025
  • Allocations will be adjusted dynamically with gold exposure increasing during crypto market downturns, and bitcoin exposure increasing when gold is in a lull period.
    Aaron Stanley, Forbes.com, 30 June 2025
Noun
  • Even though no funding has been cut, Jackson condemned the administration, contending the effect of the pause is going to be massive and could result in North Carolina firing about 1,000 educators.
    ABC News, ABC News, 14 July 2025
  • Decisions are made, the next task appears, and there’s little pause to examine what worked or what missed.
    Vibhas Ratanjee, Forbes.com, 14 July 2025
Noun
  • The layoffs follow a $821 million loss in the first quarter of 2025 and are part of a plan to streamline the company.
    Sasha Hupka, AZCentral.com, 9 July 2025
  • Justice Sonia Sotomayor concurred with the majority but noted that the lower courts are still responsible for determining whether the layoffs comply with the law.
    Tom Spiggle, Forbes.com, 9 July 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Time-out.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/time-out. Accessed 18 Jul. 2025.

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