lays off

Definition of lays offnext
present tense third-person singular of lay off
See the Dictionary Definition 

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of Synonyms for lays off
Verb
  • This court order temporarily stops most collection activities, including lawsuits, wage garnishments, bank levies and collection calls.
    Angelica Leicht, CBS News, 18 May 2026
  • The team stops functioning as a unit and starts behaving as a collection of individuals.
    Rick Burton, Sportico.com, 18 May 2026
Verb
  • The archaeologists and researchers of the Israel Antiquities Authority are constantly at work because this city never ceases to surprise.
    Maria Mocerino, Interesting Engineering, 16 May 2026
  • The imposing tower never ceases to amaze local resident Ogden Driskill, whose family has ranched on the land at its base for generations.
    Marnie Hunter, CNN Money, 14 May 2026
Verb
  • The festival ends Saturday with the presentation of the Palme d’Or and the rest of the awards.
    Baz Bamigboye, Deadline, 22 May 2026
  • Using Kérastase’s Gloss Absolu Glaze Drops, the artist gave her wavy ends a glass-like finish.
    Kaleigh Werner, Footwear News, 22 May 2026
Verb
  • As the federal government halts plans to address climate change, states, cities, regions, and even neighborhoods are trying to fill the gap by cutting climate pollution and adapting to extreme weather.
    Ellis Juhlin, NPR, 18 May 2026
  • But Ho's order now halts that effective date.
    Melissa Quinn, CBS News, 1 May 2026
Verb
  • As the rocket’s core stage cuts off, the zero G indicator will begin to float, identifying the moment when the crew is officially in space.
    Jackie Wattles, CNN Money, 1 Apr. 2026
  • 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
Verb
  • That Sun team, led by Tina Charles, is beating the breaks off the Sparks.
    Kiese Laymon, Vanity Fair, 30 Apr. 2026
  • Each one of those, in this quantum theory, breaks off into another block of cheese.
    Jackie Strause, HollywoodReporter, 30 Mar. 2026
Verb
  • So nothing shuts off overnight.
    Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 24 Apr. 2026
  • 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
Verb
  • King and Kudrow’s own feelings about AI writing are beautifully summarized by real-life TV director Jimmy Burrows, who plays himself in the series, when his character quits after shooting the pilot episode.
    Chris O'Falt, IndieWire, 19 May 2026
  • The two welcomed their daughter Scottie in December before calling it quits by May.
    Lauryn Overhultz, FOXNews.com, 18 May 2026
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.

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Lays off.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/lays%20off. Accessed 25 May. 2026.

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster