layoff 1 of 2

noun

ˈlā-ˌȯf How to pronounce layoff (audio)
Definition of layoffnext
1
as in dismissal
the termination of the employment of an employee or a work force often temporarily even senior employees lost their jobs in the massive layoff

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in winter
a period of often involuntary inactivity or idleness after such a long layoff the boxer badly needed to get back into shape

Synonyms & Similar Words

lay off

2 of 2

verb

as in to stop
to bring (as an action or operation) to an immediate end you need to lay off eating those jelly doughnuts, or you'll end up looking like one

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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 layoff
Noun
In the United States, more than 149,000 tech workers lost jobs in the first five months of 2026 alone, a pace of 990 per day, according to data from TrueUp’s layoffs database. — Srinivasulu Mupparaju, Forbes.com, 29 July 2026 Some volunteers questioned whether the layoffs were related to union efforts, which the foundation denied. — Mia Sato, The Verge, 28 July 2026
Verb
In case the winning bidder does not continue racing, the track will have to lay off its workforce. — Robert McCoppin, Chicago Tribune, 12 June 2026 With that transition, Republic National plans to close sites in Charlotte and Raleigh, laying off 39 and 14 people, respectively. — Desiree Mathurin, Charlotte Observer, 11 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for layoff
Recent Examples of Synonyms for layoff
  1. dismissal
  2. winter
  3. stop
  4. firing
  5. break
  6. cease
  7. furlough
  8. downtime
Noun
  • The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) explored the candidacy of various coaches in the wake of McCullum’s dismissal from the red-ball role.
    — Paul Newman, New York Times, 30 July 2026
  • Suda filed suit for wrongful dismissal, and the museum countersued her for theft; the conflict is set to be resolved via arbitration, at a judge’s order, later this year.
    — News Desk, Artforum, 29 July 2026
Definition of dismissal
Noun
  • Many of the forgettable editions have been held during winter (1962 in Chile, 2010 in South Africa).
    — Michael Cox, New York Times, 22 July 2026
  • With the help of his students, Wangchuk froze stream water into conical artificial glaciers—or ice stupas—to store water during the winter and release it throughout the drier spring and summer.
    — Encyclopedia Britannica, Encyclopedia Britannica, 21 July 2026
Definition of winter
Verb
  • The project has drawn fierce local opposition in the mostly agricultural communities south of San Jose where it will be built, and the agency has temporarily stopped construction on it in advance of a court hearing in September.
    — Sharon Bernstein, Sacbee.com, 30 July 2026
  • Three minutes later, Son put away a volley after Carles Gil stopped a ball at the end line and whipped a cross into the center of the box.
    — Kamran Nia July 30, Charlotte Observer, 30 July 2026
Definition of stop
Noun
  • Security camera footage from inside CHOP shows people in a Nissan Pathfinder firing gunshots at the white Jeep.
    — Sydney Brownstone, NPR, 2 Aug. 2026
  • The Jets named him interim head coach five games into the 2024 season after the firing of Robert Saleh.
    — Devon Henderson, New York Times, 31 July 2026
Definition of firing
Noun
  • Now in the back half of summer break, the couple are calling for additional support to keep their program funded until the beginning of the school year.
    — Alana Al-Hatlani, Southern Living, 2 Aug. 2026
  • Punk connected with the GTS again, but was too close to the ropes so Rhodes got the rope break at the very last second.
    — Blake Oestriecher, Forbes.com, 2 Aug. 2026
Definition of break
Verb
  • The company originally decided to continue farming hundreds of acres in the county at the start of the season but made the shift to cease farming on those acres mid-season this year, Axell said.
    — Lizzie Kane, Sacbee.com, 29 July 2026
  • Her room was undecorated and gray, crowded with machines whose chorus of irritating beeping never ceased.
    — Anna Tsioulias, STAT, 29 July 2026
Definition of cease
Noun
  • The city of Dallas announced Tuesday that General Fund employees will be required to take at least three furlough days to address the 2026 budget shortfall.
    — Briauna Brown, CBS News, 30 June 2026
  • According to the city, on the three dates, non-uniform employees funded by the city's general fund will be required to participate in the furlough, and the days will be recorded as leave without pay.
    — Mateo Rosiles, USA Today, 30 June 2026
Definition of furlough
Noun
  • There’s little downtime, with the group performing several takes of them singing and dancing live for the cameras, but the members of IVE find a few moments of rest.
    — Nicole Fell, HollywoodReporter, 1 Aug. 2026
  • In her downtime, the singer has also attended award shows, film and music festivals, and fashion shows, all while showing off an array of designer shoes.
    — Karla Rodriguez, Footwear News, 31 July 2026
Definition of downtime

Browse Nearby Words

laymen
layoff
lay off
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Cite this Entry

“Layoff.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/layoff. Accessed 3 Aug. 2026.

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