Definition of time-outnext
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

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-out The structured time-out catches the escalation window before the body takes over. — Mark Travers, Forbes.com, 26 May 2026 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. — Peter Charalambous, ABC News, 12 May 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 You might be caught up trying to nurture someone (or something) while secretly needing a time-out for yourself. — Valerie Mesa, PEOPLE, 2 Apr. 2026 See All Example Sentences for time-out
Recent Examples of Synonyms for time-out
Noun
  • Russia's heavy bombardment of the power grid ahead of winter has been an annual feature of the war, aimed at wearing down Ukraine's appetite for the fight by denying civilians heat and running water.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 18 Oct. 2026
  • The same may not prove true of utility costs where many rate hikes remain pending and a tough winter could cause further spikes.
    — Jordan Blum, Fortune, 18 Oct. 2026
Noun
  • Daily Alerts Stay informed as soon as important news breaks around Washington DC and the entire world.
    — Washington Examiner, The Washington Examiner, 17 Oct. 2026
  • Alice Mushrooms Chocolate Discovery Set Alice mushroom chocolates are for the friend who tries every single wellness trend but also loves to indulge in a daily (or nightly) chocolate break.
    — Kate Kassin, Bon Appetit Magazine, 16 Oct. 2026
Noun
  • The technician gets one coherent answer instead of four tools to reconcile by hand, and the plant avoids the downtime that used to depend on one retiring expert’s memory.
    — Osman Koc, Forbes.com, 16 Oct. 2026
  • According to a synopsis from Hallmark, the movie — which filmed in Chicago over the summer — follows a freelance reporter who returns home to Chicago for some holiday downtime with her family before her next assignment.
    — Tess Kenny, Chicago Tribune, 14 Oct. 2026
Noun
  • New Mexico, meanwhile, is dealing with its own summer lull, dropping 93 percent year-over-year.
    — Erik Hayden, HollywoodReporter, 15 Oct. 2026
  • CalHR, in a recent PERB filing, said during two-month lull there were sidebar conversations with union officials about economic proposals, potentially including raises.
    — Corey Schmidt, Sacbee.com, 15 Oct. 2026
Noun
  • Trump told Congress that the pause was in the national interest but gave no further details.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 18 Oct. 2026
  • Decades later, the character helped Harris navigate a daunting first feature — including a two-week production pause to overhaul a story that was not yet working.
    — Davide Abbatescianni, Variety, 16 Oct. 2026
Noun
  • According to The Hollywood Reporter, the company will partner with billionaire Charles Koch’s investment firm, Koch Equity Development, which has invested in Getty since 2018, after a restructuring that Peters says will not involve layoffs.
    — News Desk, Artforum, 14 Oct. 2026
  • And for months, Hollywood has been bracing itself for the inevitable thousands of layoffs that will come out of the Skydance merger.
    — Eric Vilas-Boas, Vulture, 14 Oct. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Time-out.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/time-out. Accessed 20 Oct. 2026.

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