layoff 1 of 2

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

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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

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lay off

2 of 2

verb

Examples 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 layoff
Noun
When Will Lewis, the Post’s publisher and chief executive, was named to the top job in November 2023, the storied paper was already reeling from the layoffs, readership decline, and high expenses that have hounded the entire industry. Cnn.com Wire Service, The Mercury News, 7 Jan. 2025 Ordinary Americans also work for league media arms such as the NFL Network, which last year conducted layoffs, or their partners, including regional sports networks that are struggling to keep pace. Michael McCann, Sportico.com, 6 Jan. 2025
Verb
Right before Christmas, Erickson was laid off, according to Jursak, who related her memories of Erickson to Barbara Davidson, the photojournalist who documented her eviction for Capital & Main. Jessica Goodheart, USA TODAY, 27 Dec. 2024 In her late 30s, when Robbins was pregnant with her third child, her husband, Chris, was laid off from his tech job. Catherine Pearson, New York Times, 24 Dec. 2024 See all Example Sentences for layoff 
Recent Examples of Synonyms for layoff
Noun
  • Vrabel had been the favorite to land the job once New England announced Mayo’s dismissal.
    Ryan Gaydos, Fox News, 12 Jan. 2025
  • However, DirecTV and Dish on Thursday both challenged the dismissal of Fubo’s lawsuit in a letter to the judge in the case, saying the settlement doesn’t resolve antitrust issues around Venu that were raised by Fubo in the first place.
    Jill Goldsmith, Deadline, 10 Jan. 2025
Noun
  • Major winter storms have dumped snow and cold weather on the Mid-Atlantic and the South.
    Alejandra Borunda, NPR, 13 Jan. 2025
  • Winter weather advisories or winter storm warnings were in place for six states early Monday morning, with the National Weather Service (NWS) forecasting up to 24 inches of snow for some parts of the country.
    Yaakov Katz, Newsweek, 13 Jan. 2025
Verb
  • Smoking has been linked to the formation of spider veins, so stop or limit smoking to reduce your risk.
    Laura Schober, Health, 12 Jan. 2025
  • Facebook’s recent announcement to stop fact-checking posts is an ominous signal.
    Rhea Wessel, Forbes, 12 Jan. 2025
Noun
  • Neither the briefing from Chief Press nor his personal knowledge of Olea’s past firing dissuaded Hofferberth from approving a permit for Olea in 2013 — and reissuing it in 2014, in effect giving Olea the village’s stamp of approval.
    Ana Claudia Chacin, Miami Herald, 2 Jan. 2025
  • On Wednesday, crews successfully conducted firing operations along the eastern perimeter of the fire, according to Tonto National Forest.
    Olivia Rose, The Arizona Republic, 2 Jan. 2025
Noun
  • Detroit had numbers on the break, and anyone who has watched the team consistently knew Cunningham might throw a lob to Jalen Duren for a flush.
    Hunter Patterson, The Athletic, 5 Jan. 2025
  • Osaka returned to competitive tennis exactly a year ago after a 15-month maternity break following the birth of her daughter Shai in July 2023.
    Manasi Pathak, Forbes, 5 Jan. 2025
Verb
  • Much to the lament of American enthusiasts, Mercedes ceased production of the E 63 S wagon last year, which has helped to keep values high.
    Christian Gilbertsen, Robb Report, 8 Jan. 2025
  • Without this, a creator’s business may cease to exist—with a human-size hole left in its place.
    Rodney Mason, Forbes, 7 Jan. 2025
Noun
  • If the bill somehow does not pass before a midnight deadline, the government will shut down, putting federal employees on unpaid furlough and potentially impeding the function of numerous government departments and programs just before Christmas.
    Gord Magill, Newsweek, 21 Dec. 2024
  • The government has until Friday, Dec. 21, at midnight to pass a continuing resolution, a stopgap measure so that the government doesn't shut down and thousands of government employees are put on furlough for the holidays.
    Joyce Orlando, The Tennessean, 20 Dec. 2024
Noun
  • By automating these critical recovery steps, Commvault’s solution should help reduce downtime, minimize disruptions and ensure faster restoration of AD environments.
    Robert Kramer, Forbes, 14 Jan. 2025
  • Matthews invited Thornton but also realized Thornton might prefer some downtime instead.
    Joshua Kloke, The Athletic, 8 Jan. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Layoff.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/layoff. Accessed 17 Jan. 2025.

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