RECESSES Synonyms: 186 Similar and Opposite Words

recesses 1 of 2

noun

plural of recess

as in alcoves

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

Relevance

as in vacations

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

as in pauses

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

as in holes

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

recesses

2 of 2

verb

present tense third-person singular of recess

as in suspends

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 recesses

Noun

This allegedly caused the cancellation of school recesses, and also ruining weddings and funerals. — Finnegan Belleau, Chicago Tribune, 19 Aug. 2026 Mayor Kevin McCarty’s spokesperson Geneva Jacob did not answer a question about why the recess went on longer than several other recent recesses, citing closed session restrictions. — Jennah Pendleton, Sacbee.com, 10 Aug. 2026 The resolution will now head to the Senate, but with August recesses for both chambers rapidly approaching, the clock is ticking. — Drew Pittock, USA Today, 23 July 2026 In a Fox News op-ed published Monday, the hard-line conservative asserted that the upper chamber takes too many recesses and has too short of a workweek. — Matthew Choi, Washington Post, 13 July 2026 To accommodate setbacks and height restrictions, the house rises four stories, with bays and recesses that break up the massing so the house doesn’t loom over its neighbors. — Fred Albert, Forbes.com, 11 July 2026 When the site is level, fill the recesses with sand, and tamp again. — Caitlin Sole, Better Homes & Gardens, 11 July 2026 How space exploration helped ocean exploration By the middle of the 20th century, Swiss inventor and explorer Auguste Piccard proved that the technology used to explore space could also be used to access the deepest ocean recesses. — Bill Gourgey, Popular Science, 2 July 2026 The horror is set up but the execution takes place in the dark recesses of the audience’s minds. — Literary Hub, 22 June 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for recesses

Noun

Inside, antique art hangs on walls, tamgroute (local pottery) lines small alcoves, board games are stacked inside cupboards, and coffee table books have plenty to dive into.

— Katie Silcox, Vogue, 23 Aug. 2026
They were inspired by the Curtain of Courage Memorial outside the San Bernardino County Government Center — 14 bronze alcoves, each curved like a protective wall and dedicated to one of the victims.

— Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 29 July 2026

Definition of alcoves

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

Noun

Suddenly, residents and officials in red states and swing districts such as Texas, Mississippi and Ohio are echoing progressive leaders like Bernie Sanders in calling for pauses on new data centers.

— Bloomberg, Mercury News, 20 Aug. 2026
Loud, frequent snoring paired with gasping, choking or pauses in breathing may point to obstructive sleep apnea.

— Ryan Brennan, Charlotte Observer, 20 Aug. 2026

Definition of pauses

Noun

Even a carriage horse at the foot of the ancient monument has joined in, sporting a brown bucket hat with holes cut for its ears.

— ABC News, ABC News, 23 Aug. 2026
Place the magnetic keys inside the frame’s hangers, then press it into the wall to create two perfect holes to add your hardware in exactly the right spot.

— Caley Sturgill, Southern Living, 22 Aug. 2026

Definition of holes

Verb

OneWeave suspends thousands of yarns around a central core and weaves them into seamless forms, combining fabric formation with portions of garment assembly.

— Alexandra Harrell, Footwear News, 20 Aug. 2026
His design for Fallingwater therefore suspends the architecture above the fall itself, filling the home constantly with the powerful sound of rushing water.

— Elizabeth Fazzare, Architectural Digest, 14 July 2026

Definition of suspends

Noun

That intersection is at the four corners border of Romulus, Westland, Dearborn Heights and Taylor.

— Paula Wethington, CBS News, 21 Aug. 2026
The object also reveals how cosmopolitan the Qianlong court was, which, like the Mughal court in India, welcomed artisans from all corners of China and the rest of the world, according to Wang.

— Stephy Chung, CNN Money, 21 Aug. 2026

Definition of corners

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

Definition of holidays

Noun

At their worst, defensive secondary lapses and occasional offensive lulls kept opponents in games longer than necessary.

— David Troy OutKick, FOXNews.com, 22 Aug. 2026
Parties have exploited lulls in fighting to buy time, rebuild capabilities and consolidate political or territorial gains ahead of the next round of conflict.

— Anthony Wanis-St John, The Conversation, 10 July 2026

Definition of lulls

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recessed

recesses

recessing

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“Recesses.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/recesses. Accessed 27 Aug. 2026.

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Synonyms of recesses

noun

verb

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