recessions

Definition of recessionsnext
plural of recession
1
as in slumps
a period of decreased economic activity the country is just coming out of a recession, so expect to see fewer layoffs and more new jobs in the coming year

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

2
as in withdrawals
an act of moving away especially from something difficult, dangerous, or disagreeable a retiring CEO making a gradual recession from the daily rigors of running a major corporation

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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 recessions There is at the very least a normative case for the provision of relief, and maybe probably even enhanced relief relative to your normal unemployment insurance, targeted to where that relief is needed during economic recessions. Matt Peterson, CNBC, 30 Mar. 2026 An extreme example of rolling recessions was Australia, which went 28 years without a full-on recession because a commodities boom that began in 1992 insulated the rest of the economy. David Goldman, CNN Money, 30 Mar. 2026 The transition from agricultural employment to factory employment involved wrenching mass migration, the utter misery of the Great Depression (as well as other brutal recessions, now faded from collective memory), and the painful dealmaking of the New Deal. Annie Lowrey, The Atlantic, 25 Mar. 2026 Simultaneously, major suppliers were having a price feud as fear of recessions loomed, and many states saw prices dip below $2 per gallon. Kinsey Crowley, USA Today, 21 Mar. 2026 The report said Finland and the other Northern European countries’ steady ranking on top is related to a combination of wealth, its equal distribution, having a welfare state that protects people from the risks of recessions, and a healthy life expectancy. Kostya Manenkov, Los Angeles Times, 19 Mar. 2026 The report said Finland and the other Northern European countries’ steady ranking on top is related to a combination of wealth, its equal distribution, having a welfare state that protects people from the risks of recessions, and a healthy life expectancy. ABC News, 18 Mar. 2026 Oil spikes have preceded recessions in the past half-century in 1979, 1990, 2000 and 2008, for example. Jonathan Lansner, Oc Register, 10 Mar. 2026 Historically, oil shocks have often preceded recessions. The Week Uk, TheWeek, 8 Mar. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for recessions
Noun
  • An offense with a collective mindset can protect guys who are going through some slumps.
    Evan Grant, Dallas Morning News, 25 Mar. 2026
  • More generally speaking, there is a case that City are contending with different physical challenges this season, something that could be behind second-half slumps and sluggishness without the ball.
    James Horncastle, New York Times, 13 Mar. 2026
Noun
  • Generally speaking, this matters for Social Security optimization because Roth IRA distributions, unlike traditional IRA withdrawals, are not included in provisional income calculations.
    Fort Worth Star-Telegram, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 27 Mar. 2026
  • Traditional IRAs force withdrawals starting at age 73, which means less control over your tax bill in retirement.
    Allison Palmer, Kansas City Star, 27 Mar. 2026
Noun
  • The architects strategically chose to position the accommodation guest suites directly over existing sand depressions, in an attempt to halt their spread and encourage soil recovery.
    New Atlas, New Atlas, 6 Mar. 2026
  • In Aidarov’s spiral, bodily imprints from hundreds of thousands of migrant workers layer upon one another, the faint depressions of exhausted sleep compressed into a monument that cannot move.
    Anel Rakhimzhanova, Artforum, 1 Mar. 2026
Noun
  • The success of the (ahem) more mature coaches flies in the face of the narrative following a spate of recent retirements.
    Dana O’Neil, CNN Money, 26 Mar. 2026
  • Sudden retirements from board members can be unsettling to investors at times, but Cardinal said this decision was not the result of any disagreement with the company on any matter related to its operations, policies, or practices.
    Jeff Marks, CNBC, 25 Mar. 2026
Noun
  • But unlike at some jungle retreats, which demand a certain ability to rough it, even the most spider-averse will feel at home here—kids in particular.
    Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 29 Mar. 2026
  • Dozens of people who have participated in retreats in the US and abroad responded to a CNN callout about psilocybin retreats.
    Natalia V. Osipova, CNN Money, 28 Mar. 2026

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Recessions.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/recessions. Accessed 3 Apr. 2026.

More from Merriam-Webster on recessions

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster