layoff 1 of 2

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

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
Some industry executives noticed the weakening of business travel demand in recent months amid the trade war, volatile markets and mass government layoffs. Melissa Repko,michael Wayland,leslie Josephs, CNBC, 25 Apr. 2025 Threats of economic uncertainty and workplace issues continue to weigh on workers, taking a tremendous toll on their mental health, creating fears of layoffs and a reduction in consumer confidence. Bryan Robinson, Forbes.com, 24 Apr. 2025
Verb
About 12,000 workers have been laid off or resigned since January. Nicholas Creel, MSNBC Newsweek, 18 Apr. 2025 Most of his colleagues and the leadership above him within NIOSH have either been laid off, offered reassignments to other agencies or warned to expect cuts. Faris Tanyos, CBS News, 17 Apr. 2025 See All Example Sentences for layoff
Recent Examples of Synonyms for layoff
Noun
  • But chipping away at central bank independence, as Trump appears to be doing with his open criticism of the Fed chair and implicit threats of dismissal, is a historically sure way to high inflation.
    Ana Carolina Garriga, The Conversation, 18 Apr. 2025
  • The order included full pardons of those already sentenced, commutations of sentences of 14 Proud Boys and Oath Keepers and the dismissal of all pending cases.
    Kacen Bayless, Kansas City Star, 18 Apr. 2025
Noun
  • Yes, the winter can be tough but the greenhouse movement has grown each and every year which helps.
    Liza B. Zimmerman, Forbes.com, 18 Apr. 2025
  • Sika believes the sand was unstable because of dredging that occurred during the winter.
    Sam Gillette, People.com, 18 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • When the American money stopped flowing, the local soup kitchen closed and Ms. Musa went out searching for food.
    Declan Walsh, New York Times, 19 Apr. 2025
  • The confrontation stopped and restarted as the man appeared to try to get the knife away from Perez over the fence.
    Phaedra Trethan, USA Today, 19 Apr. 2025
Noun
  • Jacobs said Republican colleagues have shared concerns privately with her about what Trump is doing and pointed out that this week, a Nebraska congressman became the first Republican lawmaker to publicly call for Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth’s firing.
    Kristen Taketa, San Diego Union-Tribune, 23 Apr. 2025
  • The firings came after the officials were placed on administrative leave pending an investigation into the internal leaks at the DOD.
    Josh Hammer, MSNBC Newsweek, 22 Apr. 2025
Noun
  • Travelers will need to show documents with the following in order to get a REAL ID-compliant license or ID, per DHS: Need a break?
    Nathan Diller, USA Today, 24 Apr. 2025
  • Exposure to natural light and fresh air can help regulate your sleep cycle and give your mind a break from screens or daily stressors.
    Lindsay Curtis, Health, 23 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • That shouldn’t be a surprise because the Packers would rather cease to exist as a franchise than draft an offensive lineman who can’t play at least three.
    Matt Schneidman, New York Times, 26 Apr. 2025
  • Without these little guys and their fellow pollinators, our gardens would be devoid of fruit, our flowers would not spread, and many species that rely on them would cease to exist.
    Katie Akin, Southern Living, 26 Apr. 2025
Noun
  • Having a clear message, even one that feels polarizing, has served the brand well, as has a prudent application of furlough, to the tune of one week every two months, of 15 percent of its workforce in a bid to keep talents in the company while saving costs.
    Lily Templeton, Footwear News, 17 Apr. 2025
  • Failure to agree on a deal by Friday at midnight would have resulted in federal workers going on furlough and not receiving pay, while nonessential government functions would have been put on pause.
    Mark Davis, Newsweek, 14 Mar. 2025
Noun
  • This means a simple restart triggers the update, rather than the longer downtime as new software downloads and installs.
    Zak Doffman, Forbes.com, 18 Apr. 2025
  • Those are the dangerous ones, as McIlroy admittedly allows his mind to wander during downtime.
    Brody Miller, New York Times, 13 Apr. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Layoff.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/layoff. Accessed 2 May. 2025.

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