as in winter
a period of often involuntary inactivity or idleness
we need to take a time-out from our relationship to think things over
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of time-out
The move, effectively a brief legal time-out, will allow an appeals court panel time to consider equities on both sides of the dispute before considering whether or not to invalidate the tariffs while litigation continues.
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Peter Charalambous,
ABC News,
12 May 2026
The Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) said new regulations involving the use of time-out go into effect in August 2026.
—
Cheryl Fiandaca,
CBS News,
8 Apr. 2026
That’s with two new coaches in the league, including one new coach who never called a time-out.
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Brian Robin,
Oc Register,
3 Apr. 2026
With the duel tied at 88-88, the Aces called time-out with five seconds left.
—
Sean Gregory,
Time,
10 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for time-out
Peter Charalambous,
ABC News,
12 May 2026
The Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) said new regulations involving the use of time-out go into effect in August 2026.
—
Cheryl Fiandaca,
CBS News,
8 Apr. 2026
That’s with two new coaches in the league, including one new coach who never called a time-out.
—
Brian Robin,
Oc Register,
3 Apr. 2026
With the duel tied at 88-88, the Aces called time-out with five seconds left.
—
Sean Gregory,
Time,
10 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for time-out
Recent Examples of Synonyms for time-out
Noun
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Last winter was the second-warmest on record, according to the city’s ordinance, with record low snowpack almost everywhere.
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As Norway has advanced in the World Cup, the atmosphere has grown more frenzied in the country than even during a summer or winter Olympics, Tufte said.
Noun
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Mauney, widely seen as the best rider of his generation and someone who braved the hardest bulls to ride, had to retire in 2023 after a neck break on a bull called Arctic Assassin.
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Milwaukee’s Jacob Misiorowski and Pittsburgh’s Paul Skenes might pitch on the Sunday before the All-Star break, which would make Sánchez a logical choice.
Noun
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Mindful downtime, including meditation, progressive muscle relaxation, or reading instead of screen time, promotes better sleep and mental quiet.
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In the years since, the stars have hung out together at awards shows and other formal industry events while also enjoying downtime away from the spotlight.
Noun
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But just when there seemed to be a lull in all things Taylor-Travis, the couple hit some major milestones.
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Getty Images There are lulls on the PGA Tour calendar, and this is one of those heading into the John Deere Classic this weekend.
Noun
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Munster’s mosquito-spraying program is once again set to take flight Tuesday after a brief pause, the town announced.
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His health problems resembled a fall down a long flight of stairs, with pauses at several landings.
Noun
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Several major companies including Amazon, Meta and Salesforce have announced layoffs tied to AI adoption.
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While some attribute layoffs to post-pandemic corrections, not solely AI, the true test is whether these leaner structures can effectively foster internal leadership development.
Cite this Entry
“Time-out.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/time-out. Accessed 6 Jul. 2026.
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