recess 1 of 2

noun

ˈrē-ˌses How to pronounce recess (audio)
Definition of recessnext
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

Synonyms & Similar Words

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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

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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

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

recess

2 of 2

verb

as in to suspend
to bring to a formal close for a period of time the judge recessed the court for lunch

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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 recess
Noun
With Congress on recess until after election day, lawmakers have few immediate options to challenge the move. — Lisa Mascaro, Los Angeles Times, 17 Oct. 2026 The next steps are highly uncertain with the House and Senate are on recess until after Election Day. — Lisa Mascaro, Chicago Tribune, 17 Oct. 2026
Verb
The House recesses even earlier, heading out of town at the end of this week. — Tanaya MacHeel,garrett Downs, CNBC, 15 Sep. 2026 The designers transformed a shallow closet into a handsome mahogany bar, with doors that recess into the sides rather than swing into precious floor space. — Kathy Barnes, Better Homes & Gardens, 4 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for recess
Recent Examples of Synonyms for recess
  1. alcove
  2. vacation
  3. pause
  4. hole
  5. suspend
  6. holiday
  7. lull
  8. cavity
Noun
  • Alhambra brings those healing qualities and fresh fragrance into the Cube Spa, which features a seawater pool, two saunas, an ice alcove, and multiple treatment rooms.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 20 Oct. 2026
  • Amid the hustle and bustle of Shanghai, Samuel Gui Yang has created a quiet alcove as the Chinese brand’s first retail outpost.
    — Denni Hu, Footwear News, 14 Oct. 2026
Definition of alcove
Noun
  • Kaufman said Rivera stopped working for the mayor’s office in April, then received unused vacation pay for another four months.
    — David Zahniser, Los Angeles Times, 26 Oct. 2026
  • As anyone who has ever planned a family vacation knows, booking a home that satisfies all of your party’s needs is a true art.
    — Rachel Fletcher, Condé Nast Traveler, 26 Oct. 2026
Definition of vacation
Noun
  • While older generations may interpret limited eye contact, a flat expression or a pause before responding as rude, lazy or unprofessional, that might not be a younger person’s intent at all, Leahy said.
    — CNN Money, CNN Money, 24 Oct. 2026
  • The pause lasted more than a year, straining cattle supply and contributing to record-high beef prices.
    — Deirdre Bardolf, FOXNews.com, 24 Oct. 2026
Definition of pause
Noun
  • In higher-dimensional gravity, certain black-hole-like objects, such as black strings, can become unstable and fragment.
    — Rupendra Brahambhatt, Interesting Engineering, 25 Oct. 2026
  • Sabbatini played his final six holes in 6-under par, which included his 25-foot eagle putt from the fringe on the par-5 15th hole.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 25 Oct. 2026
Definition of hole
Verb
  • The election process was marred by allegations of voter suppression, with Lula's campaign reporting suspended public transportation in some key areas, prompting the court to extend voting by two hours.
    — Anniek Bao, CNBC, 26 Oct. 2026
  • There is a build up of dust on the chain that holds the cup dispenser suspended above the ice cream station.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 26 Oct. 2026
Definition of suspend
Noun
  • There are also deals on women's pajama gift sets in cute holiday prints, like red plaid or holiday dogs, as well as kids' ski apparel for an upcoming winter vacation.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 21 Oct. 2026
  • Ready to take on Halloween, Thanksgiving, and a December full of holiday parties without worrying if your wardrobe will still fit in 2027?
    — Patricia Neligan, AJC.com, 21 Oct. 2026
Definition of holiday
Noun
  • Still, multiple lobbyists tell me that a flurry of regulator activity has prompted an increase in advocacy for some despite a year that has been otherwise marked by a lull in major legislative activity ahead of the election.
    — Megan R. Wilson, Washington Post, 22 Oct. 2026
  • The upshot of this is that George, who works the room in a sharp gray suit, a few tattoos peeking out, has plenty of opportunities to charismatically make things right, shaking hands and clasping shoulders and sending over lull-filling drinks.
    — Helen Rosner, New Yorker, 18 Oct. 2026
Definition of lull
Noun
  • Step 3 Unwrap turkey and remove giblets and any other parts (such as neck) that may be inside cavity; save for gravy if desired.
    — Alton Brown, Bon Appetit Magazine, 23 Oct. 2026
  • The new technology instead places the diamond directly inside a laser cavity.
    — Georgina Jedikovska, Interesting Engineering, 22 Oct. 2026
Definition of cavity

Browse Nearby Words

recertifying
recess
recessed
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Cite this Entry

“Recess.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/recess. Accessed 28 Oct. 2026.

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