as in winter
a period of often involuntary inactivity or idleness
a knee operation that could result in months of downtime for the ski racer
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of downtime
The device is designed for efficient, comfortable use with no pain or downtime, all in a compact, handheld design.
—
ABC News, 30 Mar. 2026
Build in unplanned downtime and cater to different energy levels.
—Lauren Schuster, Charlotte Observer, 30 Mar. 2026
Then protect unplanned downtime on the schedule.
—Lauren Schuster, Miami Herald, 30 Mar. 2026
Matches are fast but tense; systems are readable but deep; and the surrounding social layer, Super Animal World, reframes downtime as a meaningful part of the experience rather than a waiting room.
—MSNBC Newsweek, 29 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for downtime
ABC News, 30 Mar. 2026
Build in unplanned downtime and cater to different energy levels.
—Lauren Schuster, Charlotte Observer, 30 Mar. 2026
Then protect unplanned downtime on the schedule.
—Lauren Schuster, Miami Herald, 30 Mar. 2026
Matches are fast but tense; systems are readable but deep; and the surrounding social layer, Super Animal World, reframes downtime as a meaningful part of the experience rather than a waiting room.
—MSNBC Newsweek, 29 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for downtime
Recent Examples of Synonyms for downtime
Noun
-
One winter later, another generational star hit the open market in Juan Soto.—
Dan Sheldon,
New York Times,
6 Apr. 2026
-
To lay asphalt, contractors need warmer temperatures, and a final layer wasn’t put down in time for the cold winter season, when asphalt plants close, Brown said.—
Nathan Pilling,
Kansas City Star,
6 Apr. 2026
Noun
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Her youngest son Oliver, now 2, was born with a hole in his heart and needed surgery, sending her on a six-month social media break.—
David Oliver,
USA Today,
1 Apr. 2026
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That, more than anything else, is the lesson of this international break.—
Jack Pitt-Brooke,
New York Times,
1 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Downtime.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/downtime. Accessed 6 Apr. 2026.
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