1
as in dismissals
the termination of the employment of an employee or a work force often temporarily
even senior employees lost their jobs in the massive layoff
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in winters
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
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 layoffs
And this has come with sweeping, indiscriminate layoffs of nonpartisan public servants.
—
Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 21 Mar. 2025
More layoffs were sure to come.
—David W. Brown, The New Yorker, 21 Mar. 2025
Others at the agency have been told to prepare for layoffs.
—Alexander Tin, CBS News, 21 Mar. 2025
Earlier this month the department disclosed that nearly half of its staff would be departing due to layoffs and voluntary buyouts.
—Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 21 Mar. 2025
Last week, nearly half the department's workers were cut through mass layoffs, deferred resignations, and retirement buyouts as part of the Department of Government Efficiency's (DOGE) effort to drastically reduce the size of the federal government.
—Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 21 Mar. 2025
More federal layoffs may be coming that could further shrink the public-health workforce.
—Katherine J. Wu, The Atlantic, 21 Mar. 2025
Based on the latest available numbers, the buyouts and layoffs cut the workforce of the entire division by at least a third (though that proportion is likely higher due to other types of recent departures).
—Zachary Schermele, USA TODAY, 21 Mar. 2025
Resignations, layoffs, and disruptions are likely to affect NASA’s work far into the future.
—David W. Brown, The New Yorker, 21 Mar. 2025
Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 21 Mar. 2025
More layoffs were sure to come.
—David W. Brown, The New Yorker, 21 Mar. 2025
Others at the agency have been told to prepare for layoffs.
—Alexander Tin, CBS News, 21 Mar. 2025
Earlier this month the department disclosed that nearly half of its staff would be departing due to layoffs and voluntary buyouts.
—Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 21 Mar. 2025
Last week, nearly half the department's workers were cut through mass layoffs, deferred resignations, and retirement buyouts as part of the Department of Government Efficiency's (DOGE) effort to drastically reduce the size of the federal government.
—Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 21 Mar. 2025
More federal layoffs may be coming that could further shrink the public-health workforce.
—Katherine J. Wu, The Atlantic, 21 Mar. 2025
Based on the latest available numbers, the buyouts and layoffs cut the workforce of the entire division by at least a third (though that proportion is likely higher due to other types of recent departures).
—Zachary Schermele, USA TODAY, 21 Mar. 2025
Resignations, layoffs, and disruptions are likely to affect NASA’s work far into the future.
—David W. Brown, The New Yorker, 21 Mar. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Layoffs.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/layoffs. Accessed 23 Apr. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share