as in stops
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Recent Examples of Synonyms for lays off
Verb
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The decision stops sweeping changes to childhood vaccine recommendations the federal government made in January, including no longer advising all children be vaccinated against the flu, rotavirus, hepatitis A, hepatitis B, some forms of meningitis and RSV.—
Lisa Schencker,
Chicago Tribune,
17 Mar. 2026 -
The Padres expected there to be starts and stops along with setbacks and surges in bringing Joe Musgrove back from Tommy John surgery this year.—
Jeff Sanders,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
16 Mar. 2026
Verb
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The alternating timelines force the writers to do a lot of strained connection-building that, around midseason, ceases to be effective; the makers of Scarpetta were very smart about joining the murders narratively, but much less smart about extricating themselves creatively.—
Daniel Fienberg,
HollywoodReporter,
10 Mar. 2026
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However, current high prices may not be a factor in the midterms later this year if the conflict ceases by that time, and gas prices tend to drop in the fall as demand slows.—
Rachel Frazin,
The Hill,
10 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Summit’s season ends at 11-11-3.—
Darren Lauber,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
21 Mar. 2026
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Cycle of violence Much of what will transpire between Lebanon and Israel depends on how the war on Iran ends.—
Asher Kaufman,
The Conversation,
20 Mar. 2026
Verb
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This legal protection generally halts levies, wage garnishments and other creditor enforcement efforts while the process unfolds.—
Angelica Leicht,
CBS News,
16 Mar. 2026
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The decision halts an order by Kennedy — announced in January — to end broad recommendations for all children to be vaccinated against flu, rotavirus, hepatitis A, hepatitis B, some forms of meningitis and RSV.—
Dallas Morning News,
Dallas Morning News,
16 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Turning your phone off or using airplane mode cuts off wireless communication while still allowing alarms to work.—
Kurt Knutsson,
FOXNews.com,
3 Feb. 2026
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The drug cuts off access to vitamin A in the testes by blocking a receptor known as RAR alpha.—
Ana Castelain,
Bloomberg,
28 Jan. 2026
Verb
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State officials compared the project to Boise’s Flying Wye, where the I-184 Connector breaks off from I-84 west of downtown Boise.—
Hali Smith,
Idaho Statesman,
11 Mar. 2026
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Mahama breaks off in exasperation.—
Charlie Campbell,
Time,
30 Oct. 2025
Verb
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This shuts off the engine at stoplights or when idling, and restarts it once the accelerator is pressed.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
16 Mar. 2026
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This device recognizes when nature brings the water that your lawn needs and shuts off automatic sprinklers.—
Ashley Miznazi,
Miami Herald,
10 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Governing body head quits Yet this year’s festival comes at a time of crisis in British racing.—
Ian King,
CNBC,
11 Mar. 2026
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Instead, Carolyn quits her job.—
Rafaela Bassili,
Vulture,
6 Mar. 2026
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Cite this Entry
“Lays off.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/lays%20off. Accessed 22 Mar. 2026.
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