HOLIDAYS Synonyms: 52 Similar and Opposite Words

holidays 1 of 2

noun

Definition of holidays

plural of holiday, chiefly British

as in vacations

a period during which the usual routine of school or work is suspended the member of parliament met his wife while on holiday in the south of France

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holidays

2 of 2

verb

present tense third-person singular of holiday

as in rests

to take or spend a vacation saw kangaroos while holidaying in Australia

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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 holidays

Noun

Insider tip The 2026 opening season will extend through the Christmas and the New Year holidays for the first time, and the inside spaces have been adapted accordingly. — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 20 Aug. 2026 Through a family connection, Howser spent Christmas Eves, holidays, and afternoons at the estate, according to Weldon. — Abby Montanez, Robb Report, 20 Aug. 2026 After the World Cup final, Torres and the other seven Barca players in Spain’s squad had holidays before returning for pre-season training. — Laia Cervelló Herrero, New York Times, 19 Aug. 2026 According to the tracker, emergency visits related to COVID-like symptoms peaked in February and over the winter holidays in 2025. — Hali Smith, Idaho Statesman, 19 Aug. 2026 This is not a contradiction, but the reality of life in Egypt, which is reflected in everything from family dinners to the whole country’s holidays. — Kaitlyn Gomez, Charlotte Observer, 17 Aug. 2026 There are block-out dates for the pass scattered throughout the valid period, concentrated mainly during peak attendance times such as holidays. — Dewayne Bevil, The Orlando Sentinel, 17 Aug. 2026 Summer holidays spent exploring the wilds of Corsica in their 50-foot Hatteras fishing boat left them with a taste for unmanicured island life, which, in the summer of 1996, led them to Formentera. — Hamish Bowles, Vogue, 16 Aug. 2026 Map out the random pupil-free days, professional development days, and local holidays. — Lauren Brown West-Rosenthal, Parents, 16 Aug. 2026

Verb

Prudhomme knows it well as his family often holidays here, going on peaceful walks in the lush landscape. — Andy McGrath, New York Times, 11 July 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for holidays

vacations

Noun

Teachers already went back to work this week, prepping classrooms for kids and families wrap up last-minute vacations and back-to-school shopping.

— Finch Walker, USA Today, 21 Aug. 2026
But visitors come primarily for theme parks, conventions, cruises and vacations, and whose schedules are already packed.

— Rich Bradley, The Orlando Sentinel, 20 Aug. 2026

Definition of vacations

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“Holidays.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/holidays. Accessed 23 Aug. 2026.

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Synonyms of holidays

noun

verb

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