hiccup

noun

ˈhi-(ˌ)kəp How to pronounce hiccup (audio)
variants also hiccough
Definition of hiccupnext
as in interruption
a break in continuity the business has grown steadily for 14 years, with only a few minor hiccups

Synonyms & Similar Words

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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 hiccup While the rest of the world responds to movements made elsewhere, the likes of Real Madrid, Bayern Munich and Manchester City can reasonably expect to secure most, if not all, of their summer targets without many hiccups. — Elias Burke, New York Times, 13 July 2026 The trip began with a bit of a hiccup, as the team opted to switch hotels after just one night. — Michelle Kaufman, Miami Herald, 8 July 2026 Our best advice for avoiding delays, hiccups and frustration on the way to vacation. — Natalie B. Compton, Washington Post, 8 July 2026 Barring any unexpected regulatory hiccups, the merger is expected to close sometime in the third quarter of 2026. — Andy Meek, Forbes.com, 7 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for hiccup
Recent Examples of Synonyms for hiccup
  1. interruption
  2. interval
  3. hiatus
  4. pause
  5. gap
Noun
  • The robot immediately responds to the interruption and halts the operation, illustrating Unitree’s focus on continuous human-robot interaction and dynamic task adaptation.
    — Jijo Malayil, Interesting Engineering, 21 July 2026
  • The money sits in the business interruption and the extra expense, the long dead stretch while a specialised transformer or a particular chip waits on an 18-month backorder.
    — Dara-Abasi Ita, Forbes.com, 20 July 2026
Definition of interruption
Noun
  • The four-hour production (which includes a 20 minute interval) is set just before the events in Martin’s novels and will follow the great houses of Westeros as ambition, family bonds and succession collide during the reign of the Mad King.
    — K.J. Yossman, Variety, 24 July 2026
  • Save intervals, heavy lifts and hard runs for earlier in the evening or the next morning.
    — Lauren Jarvis-Gibson July 23, Miami Herald, 23 July 2026
Definition of interval
Noun
  • The halftime show performers BTS (co-headliner) The popular K-pop group returns after military conscription forced its multi-year hiatus.
    — Steven Louis Goldstein, New York Times, 19 July 2026
  • The band released four studio albums before going on an indefinite hiatus in 2002.
    — Meredith Wilshere, PEOPLE, 19 July 2026
Definition of hiatus
Noun
  • Long way to go Reportedly, ZeroAvia faced financial constraints that forced a recent workforce reduction and the pause of its in-house electric propulsion and ZA600 powertrain developments.
    — Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 20 July 2026
  • That order could keep the merger on pause indefinitely while the litigation moves forward, which means it could be paused for years, unless an appeals court overrules her.
    — Alison Durkee, Forbes.com, 20 July 2026
Definition of pause
Noun
  • But, in the background, cost of living woes were worsening for others, and the wealth gap was widening.
    — Alicia Wallace, CNN Money, 25 July 2026
  • Robot tracks victims, retrieves The system is aimed at a critical gap in maritime search and rescue.
    — Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 24 July 2026
Definition of gap

Browse Nearby Words

hibernations
hiccup
hiccups
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Cite this Entry

“Hiccup.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/hiccup. Accessed 25 Jul. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on hiccup

Nglish: Translation of hiccup for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about hiccup

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