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

Synonyms & Similar Words

lay off

2 of 2

verb

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 layoff
Noun
These reforms may put additional strain on an already-buckling Department of Education, which was hit by mass layoffs earlier this spring that effectively cut the department’s workforce in half and likely has contributed to the existing backlogs. Adam S. Minsky, Forbes.com, 13 Aug. 2025 While the Louisville plant expansion will initially employ fewer workers than currently, Ford anticipates future growth and no layoffs, with some workers potentially taking buyouts or transferring. Olivia Evans, The Courier-Journal, 12 Aug. 2025
Verb
States like Minnesota were forced to lay off hundreds of health department workers. Melissa Brown, The Tennessean, 21 Aug. 2025 Intel also plans to lay off 15 percent of its workforce this year. Lauren Goode, Wired News, 21 Aug. 2025 See All Example Sentences for layoff
Recent Examples of Synonyms for layoff
Noun
  • Eddie Howe's men trailed the Reds by two goals after Anthony Gordon's red card dismissal on Monday, but still fought back to tie the level briefly.
    Ben Verbrugge, MSNBC Newsweek, 30 Aug. 2025
  • The most plausible near-term outcomes comprise either a narrowed case that proceeds to discovery or a dismissal with leave to amend, rather than a sweeping preliminary injunction that rips ChatGPT out of iOS.
    Anisha Sircar, Forbes.com, 28 Aug. 2025
Noun
  • That would give candidates more time, Democratic lawmakers argue, in a period of the year filled with holidays, travel and winter weather.
    Hope Karnopp, jsonline.com, 29 Aug. 2025
  • Will the 32-year-old slugger, who is slated to be a free agent this winter, ever get a chance to make such history in front of Phillies fans again?
    Jackson Roberts, MSNBC Newsweek, 29 Aug. 2025
Verb
  • And unless the lake stops being filled with recycled wastewater, Gufarotti said, the units will be running constantly for the foreseeable future, meaning ongoing maintenance and electricity costs.
    Madeline Heim, jsonline.com, 29 Aug. 2025
  • Palisades Nuclear Plant On July 24, the NRC approved licensing and regulatory actions to greenlight restarting the Palisades Nuclear Plant in Covert, Mich, which stopped producing electricity in 2022.
    Noël Fletcher, Forbes.com, 29 Aug. 2025
Noun
  • VanDyke noted that the real decision-makers were the employing agencies that carried out the firings, not OPM, raising questions about whether the unions had sued the correct party.
    Kaelan Deese, The Washington Examiner, 19 Aug. 2025
  • Bachmeier initially signed with Stanford but transferred after the March firing of coach Troy Taylor.
    Steve Megargee, Chicago Tribune, 19 Aug. 2025
Noun
  • The Athletics remain well out of the postseason picture but have played well since the All-Star break thanks to some of the hottest hitters in baseball.
    Chris Biderman, Sacbee.com, 21 Aug. 2025
  • Finance and Administration Commissioner Jim Bryson said Monday that any breaks on the state’s 4% grocery tax will be up to the legislature to consider.
    Vivian Jones, The Tennessean, 21 Aug. 2025
Verb
  • Fighting between Saudi Arabia and the Houthis ceased in April 2022, and both sides have maintained a truce that has been described as fragile but enduring.
    Paul Iddon, Forbes.com, 22 Aug. 2025
  • Nashville Church of Christ, a nonprofit, acquired property of former downtown congregation Central Church of Christ through merger, and ceased in-person worship gatherings.
    Liam Adams, The Tennessean, 21 Aug. 2025
Noun
  • And in 2020, Delta leaned on voluntary leaves and early retirements to avoid involuntary furloughs for key frontline groups, a deliberate choice to protect culture in the hardest moment.
    Eric Mosley, Forbes.com, 21 Aug. 2025
  • But in late July, the company announced another round of pilot furloughs and demotions — the third since September.
    Ron Hurtibise, Sun Sentinel, 12 Aug. 2025
Noun
  • Residents also take little downtime, the reported suggested, ranking 11th-lowest in daily leisure and second-highest for leaving vacation days unused.
    Joe Edwards, MSNBC Newsweek, 28 Aug. 2025
  • Maintain Phase For power systems, the maintain phase focuses on predictive analytics using real-time and historical data to predict potential failures, optimize maintenance schedules and reduce the risk of downtime.
    Steven Carlini, Forbes.com, 28 Aug. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Layoff.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/layoff. Accessed 3 Sep. 2025.

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