winter

noun

ˈwin-tər How to pronounce winter (audio)
Definition of winternext
as in lull
a period of often involuntary inactivity or idleness during the long winter when the party was out of power, it had plenty of time to reconsider its political priorities

Synonyms & Similar Words

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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 winter There are several reasons, but the main one is that life is rough in the winter. — ABC News, 25 Aug. 2026 Last year, about 3,360 participants signed up for the fall and winter sessions. — Michelle Mullins, Chicago Tribune, 25 Aug. 2026 But the 31-year-old was England’s leading wicket-taker during the winter’s 4-1 defeat to Australia, taking 22 wickets, and remains an important all-format bowler for England. — Paul Newman, New York Times, 25 Aug. 2026 Perennials divided in the spring will need more watering than those split in the winter. — The Spruce, 25 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for winter
Recent Examples of Synonyms for winter
  1. lull
  2. break
  3. downtime
  4. layoff
  5. recess
Noun
  • Typically, the last weekend of August brings a bit of a lull – right after a popular Jeep expo and just before the Labor Day rush.
    — Rachel Siegel, CNN Money, 27 Aug. 2026
  • Birth of daughter and personal struggles Meanwhile, following a lull in her career in the late 1990s, Smith returned to the spotlight in 2000.
    — Imani Sumbi, Encyclopedia Britannica, 26 Aug. 2026
Definition of lull
Noun
  • The team's official drumline, The Pack, pounded on illuminated drums during quarter breaks, while Skye, the team's sassy, blue-haired lioness mascot, jumped onto the T-shirt cannon to launch souvenir merchandise high into stadium seats.
    — Odette Yousef, NPR, 29 Aug. 2026
  • Mourinho also voiced concerns about the upcoming three-week international break, fearing player injuries.
    — Tom Sanderson, Forbes.com, 29 Aug. 2026
Definition of break
Noun
  • Veterinary care, training, enrichment and downtime happen largely outside public view, while social media offers a glimpse of the dog behind the title.
    — Lauren Paige Richeson, USA Today, 28 Aug. 2026
  • This mobile title will give you something to do in the downtime at the celebration, but more than that, there’s also a Pokemon Go Scavenger Hunt that will net you an exclusive red 2026 Worlds T-shirt for your avatar.
    — Gieson Cacho, Mercury News, 26 Aug. 2026
Definition of downtime
Noun
  • The layoffs come as Ellison has been quietly rebuilding her business after several years of near-dormancy.
    — Matt Donnelly, Variety, 26 Aug. 2026
  • The move was not unexpected after the upstart tour filed a Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification (WARN) Act notice last month—a legal requirement to notify workers of potential layoffs.
    — Kurt Badenhausen, Sportico.com, 26 Aug. 2026
Definition of layoff
Noun
  • The hearing included an indefinite recess due to technical problems before resuming.
    — Kaelan Deese, The Washington Examiner, 27 Aug. 2026
  • After the 911 audio concluded, a recess was called and she was wheeled from the room sobbing loudly.
    — Kerry Breen, CBS News, 27 Aug. 2026
Definition of recess

Browse Nearby Words

wins (over)
winter
winterly
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Winter.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/winter. Accessed 2 Sep. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on winter

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about winter

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