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

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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 hiccup Sallitt depicts Jackie’s personal and professional struggles as specific hiccups that might manifest for anybody. — Vikram Murthi, IndieWire, 5 Oct. 2026 That minor viral hiccup passed easily because of Freeman’s apologies and Williams owning up to his mistake. — Colleen Kane, Chicago Tribune, 2 Oct. 2026 For his part, at 77 years old, Joel can’t entirely tell which health hiccups are a result of his age versus the disorder. — Larisha Paul, Rolling Stone, 30 Sep. 2026 Like Hart, the hiccup is how far under max a six-time All-Star and three-time All-NBA center is willing to go. — Kristian Winfield, New York Daily News, 28 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for hiccup
Recent Examples of Synonyms for hiccup
  1. interruption
  2. interval
  3. hiatus
  4. pause
  5. gap
Noun
  • Shorter supply routes could help reduce exposure to transport interruptions and improve access to essential fuels during emergencies.
    — Sujita Sinha, Interesting Engineering, 13 Oct. 2026
  • Those numbers assume the S&P 500 returns more than 10% a year without interruption for 55 years.
    — Fernanda Tronco, Fortune, 12 Oct. 2026
Definition of interruption
Noun
  • At irregular intervals, 27 leap seconds have been added to global clocks since 1972 – the last in 2016.
    — Harriet Marsden, TheWeek, 13 Oct. 2026
  • Doctors typically suggest about three weeks to recover without any flying, giving Leo just the interval needed before the trip.
    — CBS News, CBS News, 13 Oct. 2026
Definition of interval
Noun
  • Just look at the way Manon Bannerman’s hiatus from KATSEYE has dominated discourse around the group for nearly eight months and counting.
    — Kyle Denis, Billboard, 12 Oct. 2026
  • Danny Wimmer Presents, the group behind GoldenSky and Aftershock in Sacramento, announced the dates for the festival’s return following a two-year hiatus.
    — Camila Pedrosa, Sacbee.com, 12 Oct. 2026
Definition of hiatus
Noun
  • Prior to the pause, Verizon had told the FCC that the old-school copper networks will remain in place for areas where its replacement solution falls short of Commission standards.
    — Michael Kan, PC Magazine, 9 Oct. 2026
  • But, in a moment where the AI industry is filled with existential anxiety, and even its leaders are calling for brakes, Haugen isn’t advocating for a pause in AI development.
    — Beatrice Nolan, Fortune, 8 Oct. 2026
Definition of pause
Noun
  • The wealth gap has political stakes, too That sense of waiting for an opportunity has electoral relevance.
    — Nick Lichtenberg, Fortune, 17 Oct. 2026
  • After recent decreases in 2026/27 prices, the gap has closed, but prices for 2027/28 NY/ICE contracts have been trading at a discount to 2026/27 prices.
    — SJ Guest Editorial, Footwear News, 16 Oct. 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 18 Oct. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on hiccup

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about hiccup

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