1
as in alcoves
a hollowed-out space in a wall
the curator placed the large vase in one of the recesses of the gallery wall
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
2
as in vacations
a period during which the usual routine of school or work is suspended
the couple goes to Florida every January for a month-long recess from the rigors of winter
Synonyms & Similar Words
3
as in pauses
a momentary halt in an activity
the judge called for a brief recess so that the witness could regain her composure
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
4
as in holes
a sunken area forming a separate space
decided to camp in a sandy recess where the beach met the forest
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in suspends
to bring to a formal close for a period of time
the judge recessed the court for lunch
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of recesses
Maureen Lee Lenker, Entertainment Weekly, 10 Sep. 2025
August is typically the slowest month of the year for restaurants in Washington, as Congress recesses and families head out on last-minute vacations.
—Eva Roytburg, Fortune, 19 Aug. 2025
Attorney Lauren Cerri of Cerri, Boskovich & Allard, representing the plaintiff, condemned school administration for ignoring prior complaints made by yard duty supervisors years earlier that Wilson was spending time in his classroom alone with female students during lunch recesses.
—Jennah Pendleton, Sacbee.com, 13 Aug. 2025
In the recesses of the internet, where reality can feel increasingly fuzzy, one young Norwegian man lacking offline mobility built a world of his own.
—Matthew Jacobs, HollywoodReporter, 10 Aug. 2025
And yet the meeting itself is lost to the deepest recesses of Pledger’s mind.
—Rob Picheta, CNN Money, 6 Aug. 2025
The president earlier this week threatened to yank the July 4 recesses next week if the legislation is not on his desk by the Independence Day deadline.
—Alex Gangitano, The Hill, 27 June 2025
Noun
Here was the postwar American housewife—neatly dressed, pretty, poised, active—stepping unwittingly into a scene of utter depravity and sadism that reflected back at this wholesome young mother the darkest recesses of the human mind.
—Maureen Lee Lenker, Entertainment Weekly, 10 Sep. 2025
August is typically the slowest month of the year for restaurants in Washington, as Congress recesses and families head out on last-minute vacations.
—Eva Roytburg, Fortune, 19 Aug. 2025
Attorney Lauren Cerri of Cerri, Boskovich & Allard, representing the plaintiff, condemned school administration for ignoring prior complaints made by yard duty supervisors years earlier that Wilson was spending time in his classroom alone with female students during lunch recesses.
—Jennah Pendleton, Sacbee.com, 13 Aug. 2025
In the recesses of the internet, where reality can feel increasingly fuzzy, one young Norwegian man lacking offline mobility built a world of his own.
—Matthew Jacobs, HollywoodReporter, 10 Aug. 2025
And yet the meeting itself is lost to the deepest recesses of Pledger’s mind.
—Rob Picheta, CNN Money, 6 Aug. 2025
The president earlier this week threatened to yank the July 4 recesses next week if the legislation is not on his desk by the Independence Day deadline.
—Alex Gangitano, The Hill, 27 June 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for recesses
Noun
-
Inside the intimate cantina, a curved bar stands at the center of a domed space with alcoves around the edges.—
Brady MacDonald,
Oc Register,
21 Aug. 2025
-
Sand and silt that settle from floodwaters in places that smaller flows never reach, such as caves or alcoves along the walls of bedrock canyons.—
Ellen Wohl
August 20,
Literary Hub,
20 Aug. 2025
Noun
-
There are simply many times more people in temperate and tropical countries who may want to go cool for their holidays, than people in the north who have hitherto wanted to heat up during their vacations.—
Mattias Goldmann,
Forbes.com,
10 Sep. 2025
-
Unless Sacramento steps up now, Californians risk planning their summers around rolling blackouts instead of family vacations.—
Josh Becker,
Mercury News,
9 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
Unlike the more elite schools, community colleges and state schools often do not have hundreds of thousands of dollars to lobby Congress, let alone finance litigation or support students impacted by federal funding cuts or pauses.—
Leadership Brainery,
Forbes.com,
10 Sep. 2025
-
In May, Axios obtained audio from Biden's October 2023 interview with special counsel Robert Hur, which showed memory lapses and prolonged pauses.—
Kate Plummer,
MSNBC Newsweek,
10 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
Lawyers at Walsh Gallegos coordinated two releases of emails and other documents on behalf of the school board, but CNN reported how gaping holes remained, surprising and angering board members.—
Shimon Prokupecz,
CNN Money,
9 Sep. 2025
-
Eighteen holes away from his first collegiate win, the possibility felt real.—
Zach Sweet,
Kansas City Star,
9 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Termination can occur immediately if the NBPA suspends or revokes an agent’s certification, but Turner capably performed his duties.—
Michael McCann,
Sportico.com,
12 Sep. 2025
-
Lloyd’s character was given a new lease on life years ago by Isaac, who created a machine that suspends Orloff’s head in liquid and supports its life without his body.—
Lisa de los Reyes,
HollywoodReporter,
6 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
The sharp, but flexible point allows for drawing fluid, sweeping lines, but also honing in on the tiniest details, like tracing the very inner corners of your lash lines or shaping the upward flick of a cat eye.—
Sophia Panych,
Allure,
16 Sep. 2025
-
Her ability to see around corners and pivot when necessary kept her ahead of the competition.—
Geri Stengel,
Forbes.com,
15 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
Google Flights didn’t highlight specific booking windows for Hanukkah, Kwanzaa or other fall and winter holidays.—
Eve Chen,
USA Today,
12 Sep. 2025
-
There are only seven legislative days before the funding deadline due to the Jewish holidays -- which presents a real scheduling challenge for lawmakers.—
Allison Pecorin,
ABC News,
12 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
Things got a little sparse in the middle of the maze, but a good set-up and a strong finish made up for any lulls in the action.—
Brady MacDonald,
Oc Register,
5 Sep. 2025
-
Many matches that stretch to five sets are hailed as classics, but closer inspection reveals their lulls and impurities.—
Matthew Futterman,
New York Times,
19 Aug. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Recesses.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/recesses. Accessed 16 Sep. 2025.
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