as in to hesitate
to come to a temporary halt in one's activity
he paused for a moment to regain his composure
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in lull
a momentary halt in an activity
there was a brief pause for applause in her speech
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in hesitation
a state or an instance of temporary inaction because of uncertainty about the right course of action
the question caught the professor off guard, and there was a pause before he responded
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
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Recent Examples of pause
Dave Quinn, People.com, 20 Aug. 2025
When the earphones are in your ears, audio automatically starts playing again but pauses when the earphones are around your neck.
—PC Magazine, 20 Aug. 2025
New York Daily News, Twin Cities, 19 Aug. 2025
Uncertainty over tariffs on exports to the United States is still looming over the world’s second-largest economy after President Donald Trump last week extended a pause in sharp hikes in import duties for 90 days, following a 90-day pause that began in May.
—Boston Herald Wire Services, Boston Herald, 17 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for pause
Verb
That staging, paused during the COVID pandemic and revived in late 2021, is now being re-created for Broadway by Manhattan Theatre Club.
—Dave Quinn, People.com, 20 Aug. 2025
When the earphones are in your ears, audio automatically starts playing again but pauses when the earphones are around your neck.
—PC Magazine, 20 Aug. 2025
Noun
There are quite simply no two ways about it, and any pause in the research could have dire consequences, even if it is reversed later.
—New York Daily News, Twin Cities, 19 Aug. 2025
Uncertainty over tariffs on exports to the United States is still looming over the world’s second-largest economy after President Donald Trump last week extended a pause in sharp hikes in import duties for 90 days, following a 90-day pause that began in May.
—Boston Herald Wire Services, Boston Herald, 17 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for pause
Recent Examples of Synonyms for pause
Verb
-
Utilize available accessibility services and don't hesitate to request assistance when needed.—
Zach Wichter,
USA Today,
13 Aug. 2025
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Thanks to a couple who didn't hesitate to help, a small, injured stray cat now has a second chance at life and a forever home—even if down a limb.—
Maria Morava,
MSNBC Newsweek,
12 Aug. 2025
Noun
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Meteorologists looking past the current slate of nascent storms see a potential lull in activity for the final few days of August, which is nearing what's typically the most active time of the hurricane season.—
Doyle Rice,
USA Today,
23 Aug. 2025
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He’s weathered the occasional lulls in widespread appreciation for the blues with stoic grace.—
Christopher Arnott,
Hartford Courant,
18 Aug. 2025
Noun
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But with the integration of AI comes hesitation and fears of job loss, privacy breaches and misinformation.—
Lauren Giella,
MSNBC Newsweek,
14 Aug. 2025
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Putin, Kuleba said, only needs one day of hesitation at NATO and European Union headquarters in Brussels to press an attack.—
David Brennan,
ABC News,
13 Aug. 2025
Verb
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Earlier this month, more than 50 women broke into spontaneous applause and cheers when Frierson unexpectedly walked into their meeting.—
Brad Schmitt,
The Tennessean,
21 Aug. 2025
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But that trust was tragically broken when Linnie and at least 26 other campers and counselors were killed after a catastrophic flood swept through Camp Mystic on July 4.—
Nicquel Terry Ellis,
CNN Money,
20 Aug. 2025
Noun
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Born from the founder’s personal battle with eczema, the brand is a breath of fresh air in a world full of irritating, complicated formulas.—
Allure,
Allure,
14 Aug. 2025
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The solution is simple: Take three deep breaths plus a 30-second body scan before every team interaction.—
Sahar Andrade,
Forbes.com,
14 Aug. 2025
Noun
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Greenlaw showed no hesitancy in Tuesday’s practice, bursting downhill on the opening 11-on-11 play to help stop a run near the line of scrimmage.—
Nick Kosmider,
New York Times,
20 Aug. 2025
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While dealmakers recognize the benefits of AI, there is still some hesitancy due to privacy and data concerns and the legal and compliance risks that could arise.—
Rusty Wiley,
Forbes.com,
20 Aug. 2025
Noun
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Fifty years ago, Indian Prime Minister Indira Gandhi declared a national state of emergency, suspending civil liberties and jailing opposition leaders in a jarring interruption of the country’s democracy that would last two years.—
Foreign Affairs,
Foreign Affairs,
19 Aug. 2025
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AdGuard blocks banners, video ads, and other interruptions so websites load faster and feel cleaner.—
PC Magazine,
PC Magazine,
14 Aug. 2025
Noun
-
Farmer said feelings of shame can contribute to caregivers’ hesitance to discuss suicidal thoughts.—
Madeline Mitchell,
USA Today,
29 July 2025
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This hesitance is due to a shortage of anesthesiologists in some areas, unregulated costs of the procedure, and lingering misconceptions about possible side effects, according to experts cited by China Daily.—
Micah McCartney,
MSNBC Newsweek,
10 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“Pause.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/pause. Accessed 27 Aug. 2025.
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