time-outs

Definition of time-outsnext
plural of time-out
as in winters
a period of often involuntary inactivity or idleness we need to take a time-out from our relationship to think things over

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Example Sentences

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.
Recent Examples of time-outs Run opposing guards into the ground, step on the gas harder, and force your opponents into spending catch-your-breath time-outs. Brian Robin, Oc Register, 28 Jan. 2026 What all those albums had in common was how those artists offered at least occasional time-outs from the trauma. Chris Willman, Variety, 26 Oct. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for time-outs
Noun
  • The last few winters in the Northeast were pretty un-winterlike.
    Mary Gilbert, CNN Money, 10 Feb. 2026
  • Colorado winters are full of skiing and snowboarding.
    Sara Hansen, Denver Post, 10 Feb. 2026
Noun
  • After the Aphex Twin nod, however, anyone who was into the harder end of hardcore breaks could attest that KAVARI’s original productions, heard in basements from Seoul to Vienna, were as electrifying as her edits.
    James Gui, Pitchfork, 6 Feb. 2026
  • But their fragile nature leaves them vulnerable to cracks and breaks.
    Michelle Mastro, Martha Stewart, 6 Feb. 2026
Noun
  • Every squad is going to go through lulls in the conference schedule, other than perhaps UCLA.
    Sabreena Merchant, New York Times, 16 Jan. 2026
  • The offense suffered some lulls in his absence, but second-year wide receiver Ryan Flournoy was able to pick up the production vacated by Lamb in the second half by finishing with 115 yards and one touchdown on nine receptions.
    Nick Harris, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 5 Dec. 2025
Noun
  • Funding was eventually restored after a series of lawsuits that challenged payment pauses, eligibility requirements and requests from the federal government for sensitive citizen data.
    Dale Denwalt, Oklahoman, 1 Feb. 2026
  • The president works in the first lady’s suggestion, and pauses, turns and points to her after delivering the line during his speech.
    CNN.com Wire Service, Mercury News, 31 Jan. 2026
Noun
  • The move, however, came after layoffs at HHS’s Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration and the whipsaw cancellation and restoration of $2 billion in funding for its programs in January.
    Dan Vergano, Scientific American, 13 Feb. 2026
  • Still, the number was lower than the prior week’s, which is a signal that the pace of layoffs may be improving.
    Stan Choe, Fortune, 13 Feb. 2026
Noun
  • The average response time for phone calls dropped to 6 minutes from 30 minutes in the prior fiscal year; field office wait times decreased to 23 minutes; and removal of online service downtimes has benefited an additional 125,000 users in a single week, according to the agency's findings.
    Suzanne Blake, MSNBC Newsweek, 4 Aug. 2025
Noun
  • Officials do not expect interruptions in water service during the work on the Gest Street water main.
    Patricia Gallagher Newberry, Cincinnati Enquirer, 30 Jan. 2026
  • Google says the new setup is meant to reduce tab overload and interruptions.
    Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 29 Jan. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Time-outs.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/time-outs. Accessed 14 Feb. 2026.

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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