as in cessations
the stopping of a process or activity
the factory resumed operation after a brief shutdown for repairs
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Recent Examples of shutdowns
Returning to regular order and fiscal discipline will prevent shutdowns.
—
Charlotte Observer, 11 Feb. 2026
By then, Idaho already was experiencing an influx in population from neighboring states, and the pandemic boosted it even more as people sought to escape shutdowns in the name of public health for livable locations with looser rules.
—Kevin Fixler, Idaho Statesman, 10 Feb. 2026
Unlike past shutdowns, only DHS is at risk of closing its doors.
—Barbara Sprunt, NPR, 10 Feb. 2026
Emails that threaten shutdowns and demand immediate action are almost never legitimate.
—Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 10 Feb. 2026
Given the track record of past government shutdowns, most if not all of them launched by Republicans, this one achieved far more than any of those did.
—The Editorial Board, Chicago Tribune, 9 Feb. 2026
In 2021, one year into D’Amaro’s tenure and following COVID shutdowns, Disney did away with FastPass and introduced a confounding and very costly series of pay-to-skip passes, which require timing advanced booking of limited slots in these formerly free-to-enter shorter lines.
—Rebecca Alter, Vulture, 5 Feb. 2026
Trump has acknowledged that shutdowns can be a political liability.
—Toluse Olorunnipa, The Atlantic, 4 Feb. 2026
Tax deadlines do not change during government shutdowns, and people are still required to file returns by the deadline even if the government closes.
—Marley Malenfant, Austin American Statesman, 3 Feb. 2026
Charlotte Observer, 11 Feb. 2026
By then, Idaho already was experiencing an influx in population from neighboring states, and the pandemic boosted it even more as people sought to escape shutdowns in the name of public health for livable locations with looser rules.
—Kevin Fixler, Idaho Statesman, 10 Feb. 2026
Unlike past shutdowns, only DHS is at risk of closing its doors.
—Barbara Sprunt, NPR, 10 Feb. 2026
Emails that threaten shutdowns and demand immediate action are almost never legitimate.
—Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 10 Feb. 2026
Given the track record of past government shutdowns, most if not all of them launched by Republicans, this one achieved far more than any of those did.
—The Editorial Board, Chicago Tribune, 9 Feb. 2026
In 2021, one year into D’Amaro’s tenure and following COVID shutdowns, Disney did away with FastPass and introduced a confounding and very costly series of pay-to-skip passes, which require timing advanced booking of limited slots in these formerly free-to-enter shorter lines.
—Rebecca Alter, Vulture, 5 Feb. 2026
Trump has acknowledged that shutdowns can be a political liability.
—Toluse Olorunnipa, The Atlantic, 4 Feb. 2026
Tax deadlines do not change during government shutdowns, and people are still required to file returns by the deadline even if the government closes.
—Marley Malenfant, Austin American Statesman, 3 Feb. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for shutdowns
Noun
-
Temporary cessations of hostility, but no permanent closing of the moral and social divide between debtor and creditor, and no giving up on the thought that some lives matter more than others.—
Henry Freedland,
Harpers Magazine,
24 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
The abrupt disruption resulted in chip shortages and production halts at several automakers.—
Sarah Jacob,
Bloomberg,
14 Jan. 2026
-
Conflict in Yemen has prompted air traffic halts — leaving about 600 tourists stranded on a remote island.—
Ashley J. DiMella,
FOXNews.com,
6 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
Most of the time, breakups are supposed to be clean-cut endings—no second thoughts, no leftover feelings, and generally, no contact.—
Jenna Ryu,
SELF,
9 Feb. 2026
-
Even for those who are perfectly cast for Disney endings.—
Troy Renck,
Denver Post,
6 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Recent grocery store closures have rocked the north side of Milwaukee, where growing food deserts – areas where quality food is difficult to find – have left entire neighborhoods without ready access to food.—
Everett Eaton,
jsonline.com,
10 Feb. 2026
-
Austin road closures map Traffic conditions as of Tuesday morning are shown below.—
Marley Malenfant,
Austin American Statesman,
10 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
There's no official start time, and the time Bad Bunny takes the stage depends on clock stoppages, penalties, timeouts and injuries during the first half of the game.—
Edward Segarra,
USA Today,
8 Feb. 2026
-
While there’s no official start time, the time Bad Bunny takes the stage will depend on clock stoppages, penalties, timeouts and injuries during the game itself.—
Alex Perry,
Cincinnati Enquirer,
5 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
The two are, in many ways, at opposite ends of the Democratic Party’s big tent.—
Eduardo Cuevas,
USA Today,
5 Feb. 2026
-
Seven-foot sophomore post Matas Vokietaitis is going through some growing pains on both ends.—
Cedric Golden,
Austin American Statesman,
5 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Shutdowns.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/shutdowns. Accessed 15 Feb. 2026.
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