1
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
2
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
3
as in pauses
a momentary halt in an activity
the judge called for a brief recess so that the witness could regain her composure
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
4
as in holes
a sunken area forming a separate space
decided to camp in a sandy recess where the beach met the forest
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in suspends
to bring to a formal close for a period of time
the judge recessed the court for lunch
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of recesses
Marisa Suzanne Martin, The Spruce, 15 Apr. 2026
There are hints tossed out to suggest his characters’ inner recesses.
—Richard Brody, New Yorker, 7 Apr. 2026
The windows, which feature energy-efficient tinted glass, sit within deep recesses that help shade the sun while giving the overall building a reassuring sense of solidity.
—Edward Keegan, Chicago Tribune, 5 Apr. 2026
The new bill would also prohibit the use of electronic devices during recesses.
—Courtney Cole, CBS News, 1 Apr. 2026
Often today, it is then nurtured in the dark recesses of the internet, where children and teenagers can find peers angry at the world and ready to lash out.
—Natalie Eilbert, jsonline.com, 17 Mar. 2026
With millions of people along its coastline and countless vessels crossing its waters, the Mediterranean receives an enormous and constant flow of waste — much of which eventually settles into its deepest recesses.
—Ryan Brennan, Miami Herald, 10 Mar. 2026
Doctrines and designs which a few years since could find no mouthpiece out of a bar-room, or the piratical den of a filibuster, are now clothed with power by the authentic response of the bench of our highest judicatory, and obsequiously iterated from the oracular recesses of the National Palace.
—Jake Lundberg, The Atlantic, 12 Feb. 2026
At the request of the art-loving owner, numerous areas have been designed as private galleries with special shelves for sculptures and recesses in the walls for paintings.
—Rachel Cormack, Robb Report, 11 Feb. 2026
Noun
Not ready to take on a full renovation to add arched doorways or recesses to your home?
—Marisa Suzanne Martin, The Spruce, 15 Apr. 2026
There are hints tossed out to suggest his characters’ inner recesses.
—Richard Brody, New Yorker, 7 Apr. 2026
The windows, which feature energy-efficient tinted glass, sit within deep recesses that help shade the sun while giving the overall building a reassuring sense of solidity.
—Edward Keegan, Chicago Tribune, 5 Apr. 2026
The new bill would also prohibit the use of electronic devices during recesses.
—Courtney Cole, CBS News, 1 Apr. 2026
Often today, it is then nurtured in the dark recesses of the internet, where children and teenagers can find peers angry at the world and ready to lash out.
—Natalie Eilbert, jsonline.com, 17 Mar. 2026
With millions of people along its coastline and countless vessels crossing its waters, the Mediterranean receives an enormous and constant flow of waste — much of which eventually settles into its deepest recesses.
—Ryan Brennan, Miami Herald, 10 Mar. 2026
Doctrines and designs which a few years since could find no mouthpiece out of a bar-room, or the piratical den of a filibuster, are now clothed with power by the authentic response of the bench of our highest judicatory, and obsequiously iterated from the oracular recesses of the National Palace.
—Jake Lundberg, The Atlantic, 12 Feb. 2026
At the request of the art-loving owner, numerous areas have been designed as private galleries with special shelves for sculptures and recesses in the walls for paintings.
—Rachel Cormack, Robb Report, 11 Feb. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for recesses
Noun
-
The six individual bunkbed alcoves, built inside the airline's new fleet of Boeing 787-9 Dreamliners, will have a lie-flat bed with a mattress, pillow, sheets, blanket and a seatbelt.—
Colson Thayer,
PEOPLE,
24 Apr. 2026
-
Here in the 12,000-square-foot Asaya Spa, alcoves with loungers are like small sitting rooms.—
Rebecca Rose,
Travel + Leisure,
24 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Meanwhile, today Uranus enters a part of your chart to stay for six years, encouraging impulsive vacations, surprising romance and unexpected children.—
Georgia Nicols,
Denver Post,
25 Apr. 2026
-
Other popular family beach vacations in Maine include stays in Kennebunkport, York, and Old Orchard Beach.—
Kara Williams,
USA Today,
25 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Business major Andrea Lui found the chatbot’s voice to be surprisingly human, but the conversation felt choppy with odd pauses.—
Jocelyn Gecker,
Los Angeles Times,
28 Apr. 2026
-
Business major Andrea Lui found the chatbot’s voice to be surprisingly human, but the conversation felt choppy with odd pauses.—
Jocelyn Gecker,
Fortune,
23 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
The Buckeyes spent 15 spring practices trying to fill holes and develop young talent to fill the void created by NFL attrition.—
Cameron Teague Robinson,
New York Times,
27 Apr. 2026
-
So, nine holes into his pro-am practice round on Thursday, hours before the real competition started, Retief Goosen changed his grip.—
Stan Awtrey,
AJC.com,
27 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
The moratorium suspends licenses for 180 days as the city's planning commission develops ideas to better manage short-term rental properties.—
Julia Avant,
CBS News,
28 Apr. 2026
-
He is arrested and the New York State Athletic Commission suspends his boxing license and strips him of his heavyweight title.—
Assistant Sports Editor,
Los Angeles Times,
28 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
But none of these conflicts affected so many corners of the world as swiftly as the Iran war.—
Sudarsan Raghavan,
New Yorker,
28 Apr. 2026
-
Brazzell is a 6-foot-4, 198-pound target who glides by his opposing corners with ease.—
Alex Zietlow,
Charlotte Observer,
28 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
The first day of May is marked by several different holidays and celebrations, including May Day and International Workers' Day.—
Jeanine Santucci,
USA Today,
1 May 2026
-
The polka-dot midi dress A more refined option that is effortless for holidays, city dressing or weekend lunches.—
Casey DelBasso,
ABC News,
30 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Not all parts of the country seem to have the same pattern, although the data points to school breaks as relative lulls.—
Meg Wingerter,
Denver Post,
18 Apr. 2026
-
The Horned Frogs will have to figure out how to avoid the offensive lulls that have plagued them over the last month, including in the last two rounds of the Big 12 tournament.—
Sabreena Merchant,
New York Times,
29 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Recesses.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/recesses. Accessed 2 May. 2026.
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