as in cessation
the stopping of a process or activity
the factory resumed operation after a brief shutdown for repairs
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of shutdown
The partial shutdown has stretched on for more than 70 days since the DHS's annual budget failed to pass in mid-February.
—
Melina Khan, USA Today, 28 Apr. 2026
Mason Miller and a shutdown bullpen have consistently shortened games for a starting rotation missing Nick Pivetta and Joe Musgrove.
—Dennis Lin, New York Times, 27 Apr. 2026
In April 2020, people around the globe were struggling to come to grips with the strictures of unprecedented societal shutdowns aimed at slowing the spread of Covid-19.
—Helen Branswell, STAT, 27 Apr. 2026
The shooting at the White House Correspondents’ Dinner is putting more pressure on Congress to swiftly end the 73-day Department of Homeland Security shutdown.
—Burgess Everett, semafor.com, 27 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for shutdown
Melina Khan, USA Today, 28 Apr. 2026
Mason Miller and a shutdown bullpen have consistently shortened games for a starting rotation missing Nick Pivetta and Joe Musgrove.
—Dennis Lin, New York Times, 27 Apr. 2026
In April 2020, people around the globe were struggling to come to grips with the strictures of unprecedented societal shutdowns aimed at slowing the spread of Covid-19.
—Helen Branswell, STAT, 27 Apr. 2026
The shooting at the White House Correspondents’ Dinner is putting more pressure on Congress to swiftly end the 73-day Department of Homeland Security shutdown.
—Burgess Everett, semafor.com, 27 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for shutdown
Recent Examples of Synonyms for shutdown
Noun
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For others, particularly those that retain a good chunk of gas, there's a tantalizing possibility of rejuvenation — a second act, where star formation could kick off again, albeit temporarily, leading to a temporary cessation rather than a terminal one.—
Paul Sutter,
Space.com,
25 Apr. 2026
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That means verifiable cessation of possession and operability of the Russian S-400 system, with formal certifications from the secretaries of Defense and State confirming there is no risk of compromise to sensitive F-35 technology.—
Efrat Lachter,
FOXNews.com,
22 Apr. 2026
Noun
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Which is why Michael’s final cut screeches to a halt in 1988, just as the star has broken out from his family and reached a new zenith as a solo performer.—
Jasmine Vojdani,
Vulture,
24 Apr. 2026
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The Covid pandemic brought production to a halt, and then the writers and actors guild strikes shut down production again for months in 2023.—
Julia Boorstin,
CNBC,
24 Apr. 2026
Noun
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These periods tend to bring sudden news, endings, breakthroughs or a turning point.—
Kyle Thomas,
PEOPLE,
26 Apr. 2026
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Most romances begin with normal life and build to a happy ending.—
John Hopewell,
Variety,
25 Apr. 2026
Noun
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Egypt lifted early-closure measures on Cairo after a month of the famously late-night city being forced to shut down by 11pm.—
Tom Chivers,
semafor.com,
27 Apr. 2026
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The Box, the influential Los Angeles gallery known for its nonprofit-style program of experimental work, has announced its closure.—
News Desk,
Artforum,
27 Apr. 2026
Noun
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Toward the end of 2023, Dukes was arrested after leading police on a high-speed chase from west suburban Oak Brook to Chicago.—
Tess Kenny,
Chicago Tribune,
29 Apr. 2026
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The Bruins managed to keep it tight through the end of the first, with the Sabres taking that 1-0 lead into the first intermission.—
Matt Reigle OutKick,
FOXNews.com,
29 Apr. 2026
Noun
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The product announcements come one day before Amazon is set to report its first-quarter results, which will take place after the close of market on Wednesday.—
Alexei Oreskovic,
Fortune,
29 Apr. 2026
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Authorities say a homicide investigation that began in 1973 has now been brought to a formal close, more than a half-century after a woman was found dead in a Northern Virginia state forest.—
Anthony Thompson,
USA Today,
29 Apr. 2026
Noun
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McFarlane’s first interim spell obviously represents far too small a sample to draw any definitive conclusions about his tactical style.—
Cerys Jones,
New York Times,
25 Apr. 2026
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The 2025 paper comes to the conclusion that the result wouldn’t be great.—
Phil Plait,
Scientific American,
24 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Shutdown.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/shutdown. Accessed 1 May. 2026.
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