1
as in dismissal
the termination of the employment of an employee or a work force often temporarily
even senior employees lost their jobs in the massive layoff
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in winter
a period of often involuntary inactivity or idleness
after such a long layoff the boxer badly needed to get back into shape
Synonyms & Similar Words
as in to stop
to bring (as an action or operation) to an immediate end
you need to lay off eating those jelly doughnuts, or you'll end up looking like one
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of layoff
Josh Hammer, Newsweek, 14 Feb. 2025
Waiting on the president's budget request ... During his remarks, Dutcher said Boeing's contracts for the rocket could end in March and that the company was preparing for layoffs in case the contracts with the space agency were not renewed.
—Eric Berger, Ars Technica, 14 Feb. 2025
News Desk, Artforum, 7 Feb. 2025
The news comes just weeks after an announcement that Liberated – the retail and e-commerce operator for several of the Authentic Brands Group labels – shuttered its Costa Mesa headquarters and laid off 400 employees.
—Laylan Connelly, Orange County Register, 6 Feb. 2025
See all Example Sentences for layoff 
Noun
The Trump administration's mass layoffs of federal workers is upending the Washington, D.C., housing market, according to a new Redfin report that shows uncertainty is growing in the city among buyers and homeowners.
—Josh Hammer, Newsweek, 14 Feb. 2025
Waiting on the president's budget request ... During his remarks, Dutcher said Boeing's contracts for the rocket could end in March and that the company was preparing for layoffs in case the contracts with the space agency were not renewed.
—Eric Berger, Ars Technica, 14 Feb. 2025
Verb
The Brooklyn Museum on February 7 announced a series of cost-cutting measures that include laying off more than forty employees, slashing the average number of exhibitions produced annually from twelve to nine, and canceling weeknight events with poor attendance or inconsistent funding.
—News Desk, Artforum, 7 Feb. 2025
The news comes just weeks after an announcement that Liberated – the retail and e-commerce operator for several of the Authentic Brands Group labels – shuttered its Costa Mesa headquarters and laid off 400 employees.
—Laylan Connelly, Orange County Register, 6 Feb. 2025
See all Example Sentences for layoff
Recent Examples of Synonyms for layoff
Noun
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Just four months later, he was asked to hold the fort as interim head coach at one of the world’s biggest clubs following Ten Hag’s dismissal.—
Rob Tanner,
The Athletic,
6 Feb. 2025
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An ex-member of the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB), whom President Trump fired last month, filed a lawsuit Wednesday challenging her dismissal and asking a federal court to reinstate her to the board.—
Emily Peck,
Axios,
5 Feb. 2025
Noun
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As a bonus, the Boettcher Memorial Tropical Conservatory, where plants from tropical rainforests live, is humid, which provides a nice warmup on winter days.—
Brittany Anas,
The Denver Post,
6 Feb. 2025
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Another winter storm will roll in from the Dakotas through parts of the Midwest, to all the way to New England.—
Rebecca Morin,
USA TODAY,
6 Feb. 2025
Verb
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Outside of suicide, the only way for a terminally ill person in Ohio to hasten their own death is to refuse life-prolonging treatments or to stop eating and drinking.—
Tim Botos,
USA TODAY,
18 Feb. 2025
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However, Eke said, if Charlotte doesn’t succeed, the Berman family behind the bid won’t stop trying.—
Scott Fowler,
Charlotte Observer,
17 Feb. 2025
Noun
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But people who work in civil rights warn the firings are part of a broad attempt to dismantle the infrastructure for addressing systemic inequalities in America.—
Andrea Hsu,
NPR,
9 Feb. 2025
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Here in Denver, 10 environmental justice workers at EPA were just put on administrative leave, with the strong implication that more firings are to come.—
Megan Schrader,
The Denver Post,
7 Feb. 2025
Noun
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Review:Kendrick Lamar's fierce Super Bowl halftime show elevates Drake feud, makes history Need a break?—
Edward Segarra,
USA TODAY,
11 Feb. 2025
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Marc credits the realization of his vision to the help of local craftspeople, many of whom worked for him during their winter break from Glimmerglass.—
David Foxley,
Architectural Digest,
10 Feb. 2025
Verb
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The return-to-work ordinance would require city executives to determine timelines to cease remote-work options for their employees.—
Jessica Boehm,
Axios,
11 Feb. 2025
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Wednesday night, precipitation is expected to be both rain and snow but become all rain after 1 a.m. Snow is expected to cease heading into Thursday with rain instead predicted before 1 p.m.—
Matt Hubbard,
Baltimore Sun,
9 Feb. 2025
Noun
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Eligibility depends on the circumstances of job separation, such as layoffs, furloughs or resignations under duress.—
Kristan Hawkins,
Newsweek,
6 Feb. 2025
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In addition to the furloughs in Haiti, senior career officials with the U.S. Agency for International Development were also removed from their posts on Monday.—
Jacqueline Charles,
Miami Herald,
28 Jan. 2025
Noun
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Operational downtime: Cyberattacks disrupt day-to-day operations, delaying services and causing financial strain.—
Garrett Vanderpool,
Kansas City Star,
5 Feb. 2025
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This means users can quickly swap batteries in the field, extending mission duration and reducing potential downtime during critical operations.—
Kurt Knutsson, CyberGuy Report,
Fox News,
1 Feb. 2025
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Cite this Entry
“Layoff.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/layoff. Accessed 20 Feb. 2025.
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