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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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

Examples 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
When those roles are taken away — through a sudden layoff, for instance, or a devastating breakup — men can lose their sense of purpose. Celia Ford, Vox, 3 Dec. 2024 Consumers have optimism due to the low unemployment rate and the Fed rate cuts, but there are concerns due to layoffs at major companies. Trefis Team, Forbes, 27 Nov. 2024
Verb
Visa holders can be paid less than American citizens and are put in difficult positions if they are laid off. Josh Hammer, Newsweek, 3 Dec. 2024 Meanwhile, along with the precipitous drop in sales, the company has laid off nearly 600 workers in two waves this year. William Roberson, Forbes, 1 Dec. 2024 See all Example Sentences for layoff 
Recent Examples of Synonyms for layoff
Noun
  • United are six games into the tenure of Ruben Amorim after the early season dismissal of Erik ten Hag, while Pep Guardiola’s City are going through a period of one win in 10 matches, an unprecedented run in the club’s recent history.
    Sam Lee, The Athletic, 15 Dec. 2024
  • However, those cases are moving toward dismissal or are winding down ahead of Inauguration Day next month.
    Stephan Pechdimaldji, Newsweek, 14 Dec. 2024
Noun
  • But the city was also welcoming travelling fans with open arms, not only from across Kazakhstan but pretty much everywhere, including some from India, whose baggage had been lost in transit, meaning an entirely new winter wardrobe was required to brave the elements.
    Lucy Oliva, The Athletic, 14 Dec. 2024
  • Israel’s defense minister, Israel Katz, on Friday ordered the military to prepare for the harsh conditions of winter deployment.
    Mick Krever, CNN, 14 Dec. 2024
Verb
  • Prisons were uniquely bad for spreading the virus and some inmates were released in part to stop the spread.
    Democrat-Gazette staff from wire reports, arkansasonline.com, 13 Dec. 2024
  • By Brian Bennett December 13, 2024 7:00 AM EST Five days before Joe Biden was sworn in as President and effectively stopped federal executions, the Trump Administration executed its 13th federal inmate, Dustin Higgs.
    Brian Bennett, TIME, 13 Dec. 2024
Noun
  • In today’s always-on, highly connected world in which platforms like LinkedIn and Glassdoor have weight with prospective employees and even clients, leaders must be mindful not to damage their reputation with what could be perceived as unfair or shady firing practices.
    Bryan Robinson, Forbes, 12 Dec. 2024
  • Damon Wayans, frustrated by his experience on the show, effectively forced his own firing after going off script during a sketch.
    Jon Blistein, Rolling Stone, 11 Dec. 2024
Noun
  • Whatever Motta said during the break clearly worked as the Bianconeri began the second 45 minutes in impressive fashion, pressing forward in search of more goals.
    Adam Digby, Forbes, 18 Dec. 2024
  • We're not even done with 2024, but Summerfest officials have already announced about half of the festival shows for the amphitheater and BMO Pavilion in 2025. Need a break?
    Piet Levy, Journal Sentinel, 18 Dec. 2024
Verb
  • The technical psychiatry and neurobiology of later times necessarily lacked Valéry’s poetry, and the poets themselves could never make good on his scientism without ceasing to write poetry.
    Benjamin Kunkel, The New Yorker, 9 Dec. 2024
  • Last week, a panel of three judges upheld the law's constitutionality, leaving TikTok and ByteDance warning that the app could cease operations in the U.S. as soon as Jan. 19, 2025, if the decision stands.
    Paul Du Quenoy, Newsweek, 9 Dec. 2024
Noun
  • The Iranian government did not immediately acknowledge the medical furlough for Mohammadi, 52, which her supporters demanded should involve her being permanently freed.
    Jon Gambrell, Los Angeles Times, 4 Dec. 2024
  • Marian Price was incarcerated at the time of her sister’s death, but was given a several-hour furlough to attend Dolours’s wake, and was released from prison later that year.
    Sophie Brookover, Vulture, 16 Nov. 2024
Noun
  • In between all the festive activities, Netflix has your downtime covered with seasonal streaming options, from Christmas classics to original content (although 2017's A Christmas Prince did not make our list).
    James Mercadante, EW.com, 14 Dec. 2024
  • Machine downtime can sink by 30% to 50%, labor productivity can improve by 15% to 30%, and cost reduction from inventory holding can reach 15% to 20%, among other improvements pinpointed by McKinsey.
    Ethan Karp, Forbes, 13 Dec. 2024

Thesaurus Entries Near layoff

Cite this Entry

“Layoff.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/layoff. Accessed 22 Dec. 2024.

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