recess 1 of 2

1
as in alcove
a hollowed-out space in a wall the curator placed the large vase in one of the recesses of the gallery wall

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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

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recess

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 recess
Noun
The City Council begins its three-week holiday recess, returning on Jan. 7. Dakota Smith, Los Angeles Times, 14 Dec. 2024 The two young boys had a conversation at recess about their respective holiday traditions. Reia Li, The Arizona Republic, 23 Dec. 2024
Verb
Many of them won’t vote in favor of recessing to literally abdicate the chamber’s constitutional responsibility of advice and consent. Tia Yang, ABC News, 21 Nov. 2024 Rethink Coalition proposes partially recessing the Inner Loop of I-65/I-70, which would open more land for development and green space. Ryan Murphy, The Indianapolis Star, 31 Oct. 2024 See all Example Sentences for recess 
Recent Examples of Synonyms for recess
Noun
  • With just four days left of the Biden administration, art still hangs in Alejandro Mayorkas’ office in the far reaches of southeast Washington, where a tall window alcove overlooks a snowy capital.
    Michael Wilner, Miami Herald, 17 Jan. 2025
  • Amenities include a gym, movie theater, outdoor patios, reading alcoves and lounge areas, and an office.
    Emma Reynolds, Robb Report, 15 Jan. 2025
Noun
  • This shift also reflects a growing interest in seasonal travel that aligns with natural phenomena, such as the midnight sun or the Northern Lights, adding an extraordinary element to the vacation experience.
    Jeff Fromm, Forbes, 19 Jan. 2025
  • Over the course of their relationship, they've been spotted on vacation and visiting filming sets together.
    Francesca Gariano, People.com, 18 Jan. 2025
Noun
  • The previous agreement, in November 2023, furnished only a pause.
    Gershom Gorenberg, The Atlantic, 16 Jan. 2025
  • The result: The office tasked with managing the return to student loan repayment after a long pandemic pause, as well as the rollout of an overhauled FAFSA, was flat-funded for 2023.
    Cory Turner, NPR, 16 Jan. 2025
Noun
  • But the concerns about how the state ended up in the budget hole to begin with, remains central to the blame game.
    Mikenzie Frost, Baltimore Sun, 25 Jan. 2025
  • The Mets still have a gaping hole at first base and the two sides likely aren't too far apart on a deal.
    Zach Pressnell, Newsweek, 24 Jan. 2025
Verb
  • At Sony in 2001, he was suspended without pay for 30 days for falsifying film critic quotes to promote four of the studio’s movies.
    Rebecca Rubin, Variety, 17 Jan. 2025
  • Apple is suspending its new artificial intelligence feature summarizing alerts for news and entertainment apps after facing complaints from news outlets and press freedom groups about generating false and inaccurate information.
    Rebecca Falconer, Axios, 17 Jan. 2025
Noun
  • Instead, Stiller pointed to the iconic Rankin/Bass holiday specials produced in the 1960s and ’70s, the aesthetic of which seemed to fit in the retro Severance world, especially Lumon’s tendency toward performative flair.
    Roxana Hadadi, Vulture, 18 Jan. 2025
  • Some reviewers think this blend is perfect for warm holiday drinks, so plan accordingly. Don’t wait to stock your coffee station—spring items won’t last too long, and year-round staples may sell out fast.
    Lauren Thomann, Better Homes & Gardens, 18 Jan. 2025
Noun
  • There has been a lull in significant business since then, but moves in both directions are anticipated before the window closes at 11pm on February 3.
    Andy Naylor, The Athletic, 17 Jan. 2025
  • After the outburst, the black hole appeared to return to a quiet state, with a lull in activity for nearly a year.
    Eric Lagatta, USA TODAY, 14 Jan. 2025
Noun
  • Over the centuries, the decomposing bodies left cavities inside the hardened mineral casings.
    Sonja Anderson, Smithsonian Magazine, 9 Jan. 2025
  • The five-year survival rate for all types of oral cavity and oropharyngeal cancers is 91%—meaning that 91% of people with lip cancer are still alive five years after their diagnosis.
    Carrie Madormo, RN, Health, 31 Dec. 2024

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Cite this Entry

“Recess.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/recess. Accessed 30 Jan. 2025.

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