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2
as in vacation
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 pause
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 hole
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 to suspend
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 recess
John Aguilar, Denver Post, 12 May 2025
The time provides a frame, so your date doesn’t have to go searching the recesses of their memory, but the timeliness keeps the answer from skewing into something generic.
—Alex Abad-Santos, Vox, 3 May 2025
Nicholas J. R. White Kat Hill, New York Times, 24 Feb. 2025
Located at 25 West Hills Drive, a quiet cul-de-sac in Avon, this colonial has undeniable curb appeal enhanced by a central front door that is recessed for protection from the weather and defined by pilasters on either side.
—James Alexander, Hartford Courant, 20 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for recess
Noun
The ongoing violence in the Middle East has also regularly brought activists to Boulder City Council meetings over the last year, with protests as recently as last month resulting in the council taking multiple recesses before clearing the chamber of audience members.
—John Aguilar, Denver Post, 12 May 2025
The time provides a frame, so your date doesn’t have to go searching the recesses of their memory, but the timeliness keeps the answer from skewing into something generic.
—Alex Abad-Santos, Vox, 3 May 2025
Verb
Porch lights are recessed into doorways and point down; the pier has LED lights, also pointing downward, that provide just enough illumination for marine safety; a shop’s outdoor motion-sensor lights come on only for a few minutes when needed.
—Nicholas J. R. White Kat Hill, New York Times, 24 Feb. 2025
Located at 25 West Hills Drive, a quiet cul-de-sac in Avon, this colonial has undeniable curb appeal enhanced by a central front door that is recessed for protection from the weather and defined by pilasters on either side.
—James Alexander, Hartford Courant, 20 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for recess
Recent Examples of Synonyms for recess
Noun
-
Past that is the kitchen (in the alcove on the left) and the dining area (right, up the steps) where Snitow sat with feminist friends around a long table.—
Adriane Quinlan,
Curbed,
22 May 2025
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My favorite, Taylor Creek, weaves through a narrow box canyon and crisscrosses its namesake creek before reaching the eye-popping turnaround point: a double-arch alcove.—
Stephanie Vermillion,
Travel + Leisure,
17 May 2025
Noun
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Compared to other vacations, cruises are relatively long and expensive and involve many more moving parts — from getting to the departure point to your stay onboard to visiting multiple ports of call (often in foreign countries).—
Jason Stauffer,
CNBC,
1 June 2025
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For many of us, summer vacation is an excuse to sleep in and enjoy the relaxed schedule that so often accompanies time away from school or work.—
Betsy Cribb Watson,
Southern Living,
31 May 2025
Noun
-
An extended pause in scheduling student visas could lead to delays that may disrupt college, boarding-school or exchange students’ plans to enroll in summer and fall terms.—
Annie Ma,
Chicago Tribune,
28 May 2025
-
Live recordings, put on pause during the pandemic, haven’t yet restarted.—
Charles McNulty,
Los Angeles Times,
28 May 2025
Noun
-
For decades, conservationists successfully plugged that hole by arguing in court that the ESA’s prohibition of harm to individual species includes destroying a species’ habitat.—
Emma Marris,
The Atlantic,
25 May 2025
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Other cavity nesters such as woodpeckers will make holes in trees, and those can also be adopted by tree swallows, flickers, kestrels and chickadees.—
Ernie Cowan,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
25 May 2025
Verb
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Through the large storefront window stands a digital display system known as the Chandelier, which, suspended from the ceiling, can tilt, rise and descend, or serve as an illuminated display feature.—
Luisa Zargani,
Footwear News,
30 May 2025
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The debt limit was last suspended by Congress as part of a bipartisan bill struck between former President Biden and GOP leadership in 2023, staving off the threat of national default through early 2025.—
Aris Folley,
The Hill,
30 May 2025
Noun
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Now three years into its existence, the ways to honor this federal holiday are evolving – especially given rapid challenges to civil rights, social justice and how diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives are being rolled back.—
Lisa Vernon Sparks,
Charlotte Observer,
30 May 2025
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From December’s average prices being close to $3 per gallon to rising to nearly $3.30 per gallon in the winter, fuel costs have increased and decreased many times since the Christmas holiday.—
Washington Examiner Staff,
The Washington Examiner,
29 May 2025
Noun
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Fewer Roles And Longer Recruitment Processes The shift from the hiring highs of 2021 to today’s lull has been sharp.—
Nadia Edwards-Dashti,
Forbes.com,
28 May 2025
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The shelter then faced a lull, as previous applicants had already adopted other pets in need, and no immediate matches surfaced that could suit Thor.—
Melissa Fleur Afshar,
MSNBC Newsweek,
23 May 2025
Noun
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Some studies suggest that launching from tree cavities or branches at specific angles further optimizes its glide performance.—
Scott Travers,
Forbes.com,
31 May 2025
-
For small cavities, your dentist may recommend using fluoride or other products.—
Khloe Quill,
FOXNews.com,
31 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Recess.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/recess. Accessed 4 Jun. 2025.
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