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
For instance, time-out reminders, focus modes and little nudges to take breaks can make a difference.
—
Expert Panel®, Forbes, 20 Mar. 2025
The Texas Tech student, who sunk a 94-foot putt during a commercial time-out at the Tech-Houston basketball game on Monday and then chest-bumped the three-time Super Bowl MVP, tried to recreate his masterful moment while on the Today show on Thursday, Feb. 27.
—Anna Lazarus Caplan, People.com, 28 Feb. 2025
And some biz owners have struggled to set up accounts due to time-out errors and unclear instructions, per a local Reddit thread of gripes about it.
—Karri Peifer, Axios, 26 Feb. 2025
Just over a minute after San Jose fell behind 3-0 at the 9:50 mark of the first, Askarov, during a media time-out, went to the team’s bench to talk with head athletic trainer Jaime Garcia, then left the ice and returned to the team’s dressing room.
—Curtis Pashelka, The Mercury News, 20 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for time-out
Expert Panel®, Forbes, 20 Mar. 2025
The Texas Tech student, who sunk a 94-foot putt during a commercial time-out at the Tech-Houston basketball game on Monday and then chest-bumped the three-time Super Bowl MVP, tried to recreate his masterful moment while on the Today show on Thursday, Feb. 27.
—Anna Lazarus Caplan, People.com, 28 Feb. 2025
And some biz owners have struggled to set up accounts due to time-out errors and unclear instructions, per a local Reddit thread of gripes about it.
—Karri Peifer, Axios, 26 Feb. 2025
Just over a minute after San Jose fell behind 3-0 at the 9:50 mark of the first, Askarov, during a media time-out, went to the team’s bench to talk with head athletic trainer Jaime Garcia, then left the ice and returned to the team’s dressing room.
—Curtis Pashelka, The Mercury News, 20 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for time-out
Recent Examples of Synonyms for time-out
Noun
-
When Optima Lakeview was in development during the pandemic, Burnham said the company looked for ways to make the outdoor amenities available year-round, even during the cold winter months.—
Caleb McCullough,
Chicago Tribune,
25 May 2025
-
The goal is to really flood the market to make sure everybody has a safe place to sleep with the upcoming winter.—
James Bickerton,
MSNBC Newsweek,
24 May 2025
Noun
-
Even taking a short break to breathe, reflect or laugh with a colleague can restore perspective.—
Expert Panel®,
Forbes.com,
29 May 2025
-
The Face the Nation preview was aired during the show, not during an advertising break.—
Ted Johnson,
Deadline,
29 May 2025
Noun
-
The couple have been enjoying downtime and travel since the Chiefs lost to the Eagles in Super Bowl 2025 in February.—
Natasha Dye,
People.com,
26 May 2025
-
For your downtime Going out Beaches: Here are California’s dirtiest beaches.—
Hailey Branson-Potts,
Los Angeles Times,
23 May 2025
Noun
-
Yeboah hasn’t scored since March, a lull of seven matches that also came with an ankle injury.—
Andy Greder,
Twin Cities,
16 May 2025
-
There may be a lull in storms in the afternoon, but there is also a chance that once the first round dissipates, another batch of severe weather forms on the eastern fringes of the area.—
Miceala Morano,
Arkansas Online,
15 May 2025
Noun
-
Live recordings, put on pause during the pandemic, haven’t yet restarted.—
Charles McNulty,
Los Angeles Times,
28 May 2025
-
An extended pause in scheduling student visas could lead to delays that may disrupt college, boarding-school or exchange students’ plans to enroll in summer and fall terms.—
Annie Ma,
Chicago Tribune,
28 May 2025
Noun
-
Walmart didn't give a reason for the layoffs beyond saying that some parts of the business have made changes.—
Serenah McKay,
Arkansas Online,
22 May 2025
-
Here’s how to avoid it For kids with autism, swim classes can be lifesaving Business US filings for jobless aid, a proxy for layoffs, inch down modestly last week as uncertainty lingers The number of Americans filing unemployment claims last week fell slightly.—
South Florida Sun Sentinel,
Sun Sentinel,
22 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Time-out.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/time-out. Accessed 2 Jun. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share