as in vacation
a period of time during which someone does not work at their regular job
Several professors will be taking sabbaticals this year. She recently returned to work after a two-year sabbatical from her acting career.
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Recent Examples of sabbatical
This time, Addison was back to convince Amelia Shepherd (Caterina Scorsone), who was still on sabbatical after the tragic events of last season's finale, to assist her with a pregnant patient who was suffering from a tumor that affected her sight.
—
Mekishana Pierre, Entertainment Weekly, 30 Jan. 2026
Silver had been on sabbatical in the months leading up to his departure and never formally returned to his DeepMind role.
—Jeremy Kahn, Fortune, 30 Jan. 2026
Galleries featuring emerging artists, a rotating list of artists-in-residence, as well as a program offering semester-long sabbaticals, were also on the docket for the unfulfilled project.
—Demetrius Simms, Robb Report, 29 Jan. 2026
The place Robby’s riding to for his sabbatical is called Head-Smashed-In Buffalo Jump in Alberta, Canada.
—Maggie Fremont, Vulture, 9 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for sabbatical
Mekishana Pierre, Entertainment Weekly, 30 Jan. 2026
Silver had been on sabbatical in the months leading up to his departure and never formally returned to his DeepMind role.
—Jeremy Kahn, Fortune, 30 Jan. 2026
Galleries featuring emerging artists, a rotating list of artists-in-residence, as well as a program offering semester-long sabbaticals, were also on the docket for the unfulfilled project.
—Demetrius Simms, Robb Report, 29 Jan. 2026
The place Robby’s riding to for his sabbatical is called Head-Smashed-In Buffalo Jump in Alberta, Canada.
—Maggie Fremont, Vulture, 9 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for sabbatical
Recent Examples of Synonyms for sabbatical
Noun
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When Alice Monroe's boyfriend goes missing during their vacation in France, she's forced to uncover secrets hidden in his past.—
Marina Johnson,
Louisville Courier Journal,
8 Feb. 2026
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The 62-year-old Payton will face a true crossroads once returning from offseason vacation, after the Broncos successfully convinced fast-rising offensive mind Davis Webb to stay on as the team’s new offensive coordinator.—
Luca Evans,
Denver Post,
7 Feb. 2026
Noun
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With a loss Wednesday night to the New Orleans Pelicans and the middling middle ground will prove all too real, with the Heat entering that game at 28-27, with an eight-day All-Star break to follow.—
Ira Winderman,
Sun Sentinel,
10 Feb. 2026
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Milwaukee had made 40% of their 3-point attempts before the break and held the Magic to just 19% from distance.—
Jason Beede,
The Orlando Sentinel,
10 Feb. 2026
Noun
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Her medical furlough was initially to be for three weeks, but her time out of prison lengthened, possibly on account of activists and Western powers pushing Iran to keep her free.—
Jon Gambrell,
Los Angeles Times,
8 Feb. 2026
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When Mitchell was released on probation in 2024, he was ordered to attend college in Sacramento and participate in a weekend furlough from juvenile hall, court records show.—
Nate Gartrell,
Mercury News,
5 Feb. 2026
Noun
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In the weeks leading up to that election, Nanos reportedly placed his opponent Heather Lappin, a lieutenant at the Pima County Jail, on administrative leave, ordering her not to discuss the reasoning for his decision.—
Peter D'Abrosca , Alexandra Koch,
FOXNews.com,
8 Feb. 2026
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Plants that are already stressed indoors or grown in overcrowded conditions with poor airflow are more likely to develop fungal issues, like damping off or plant edema (lesions on the underside of leaves).—
Lauren Landers,
Better Homes & Gardens,
8 Feb. 2026
Noun
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The foundation has raised $700,000 for military support and paid off holiday layaway for 515 military families.—
Ryan Morik,
FOXNews.com,
5 Feb. 2026
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Valentine’s Day, a holiday that fills hearts with figurative longing and passion — and literal foodstuffs, like chocolate.—
Amy Drew Thompson,
The Orlando Sentinel,
5 Feb. 2026
Noun
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My issue isn’t with the liberties themselves—every good adaptation takes its share of them.—
Hannah Jocelyn,
New Yorker,
13 Feb. 2026
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Judges have a duty to ensure that a person’s liberty, due process rights, and privacy are not compromised by administrative or technical errors.—
Charlotte Observer,
Charlotte Observer,
13 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Sabbatical.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/sabbatical. Accessed 15 Feb. 2026.
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