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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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

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
The Trump administration appealed, but on Friday night, the US 9th Circuit Court of Appeals ruled that the sweeping layoffs will remain on hold. Jade Walker, CNN Money, 2 June 2025 Overall, the layoffs represented 2.8% of the total workforce. Carole Carlson, Chicago Tribune, 31 May 2025
Verb
After watching colleagues laid off, there’s even a trend of worried executives and managers putting plans in place to slowly transition into entrepreneurship. Bryan Robinson, Forbes.com, 22 May 2025 The Substack site Vota created the day after he was laid off, called Career Pivot, helps his former USAID colleagues update their resumes and actively search for new jobs. Terry Collins, USA Today, 20 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for layoff
Recent Examples of Synonyms for layoff
Noun
  • Despite the low scoring, United fans would ideally like to give Amorim time to reshape the squad to his liking, rather than call for his immediate dismissal.
    Carl Anka, New York Times, 7 June 2025
  • Despite her persistent efforts to seek help, including documenting her symptoms in detail, Booth continuously faced dismissal from medical professionals.
    Ashley Vega, People.com, 6 June 2025
Noun
  • Tyler Glasnow changed his delivery this winter, hoping to find health.
    Fabian Ardaya, New York Times, 6 June 2025
  • Particularly enticing may be the bonus paychecks for employees in both June and December to help families enjoy the summer and winter holidays.
    Matt Robison, MSNBC Newsweek, 5 June 2025
Verb
  • On September 2, Border Force officers had stopped two women at London Stansted Airport.
    Stuart James, New York Times, 6 June 2025
  • The filing amends an existing lawsuit against the Trump administration over the move to ban its ability to enroll international students, which initially prompted a judge to stop the administration from revoking Harvard’s student visa program.
    Andy Rose, CNN Money, 5 June 2025
Noun
  • Since the firings, the agency has published two brief reports based on the 2023 survey – one on use of marijuana by people 12 years and older and one about the treatments received by adults with serious mental illness.
    Rhitu Chatterjee, NPR, 29 May 2025
  • While many of these agreements have been deeply flawed and exploitive, the firing of Shira Perlmutter represents a pivot to something much worse.
    Sarah Montana, HollywoodReporter, 29 May 2025
Noun
  • The Face the Nation preview was aired during the show, not during an advertising break.
    Ted Johnson, Deadline, 29 May 2025
  • Even taking a short break to breathe, reflect or laugh with a colleague can restore perspective.
    Expert Panel®, Forbes.com, 29 May 2025
Verb
  • Yet, for some time now, there has been a third movement that tends to be articulated more in art than elsewhere, even if elsewhere there has long since ceased to be any alternative.
    Diedrich Diederichsen, Artforum, 1 June 2025
  • Once retired, income mainly ceases and so does the ability to add funding to retirement accounts.
    David Kudla, Forbes.com, 30 May 2025
Noun
  • Hiring freezes, furloughs and layoffs may seem dramatic for a city that only a few short years ago had 16% fiscal reserves, but taking action today will forestall more dramatic cuts should the economy take a turn for the worse.
    The Denver Post Editorial Board, Denver Post, 23 May 2025
  • Layoffs, furloughs and a declining business outlook may reduce household income.
    Catherine Brock, Forbes.com, 19 May 2025
Noun
  • Update: According to the in-game timer at the end of the live-event, downtime will last 5.5 hours, meaning Season 3 will launch at 8pm ET / 5pm PT.
    Erik Kain, Forbes.com, 7 June 2025
  • Video calls have reduced the need for in-person meetings, and with flyers now able to answer emails or even join a virtual meeting in mid-air, in-air downtime is rapidly shrinking on subsonic flight.
    Edward Russell, CNN Money, 5 June 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Layoff.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/layoff. Accessed 10 Jun. 2025.

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