interlude

noun

ˈin-tər-ˌlüd How to pronounce interlude (audio)
Definition of interludenext
as in interval
a break in continuity there was a brief interlude in the performance while the stagehands shifted scenery

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

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 interlude The Bradley Gang Massacre is one of the interludes in King’s original novel. — Joe Otterson, Variety, 17 Aug. 2026 Dreamy interludes pad the space between tracks with humming synths and strings; sometimes songs dissolve into floating mood pieces, anchored by a drone or loop. — Mitch Therieau, New Yorker, 14 Aug. 2026 Furious riding was alternated with brief, puffing interludes of listening. — Paul Schullery, Outdoor Life, 13 Aug. 2026 Passengers are mostly active adult couples looking for a romantic interlude in the relaxed atmosphere of a yacht. — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 12 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for interlude
Recent Examples of Synonyms for interlude
  1. interval
  2. interruption
  3. hiatus
  4. pause
  5. gap
  6. intermission
Noun
  • By contrast, Hims ships larger quantities of products at less frequent intervals for a discount.
    — BestReviews, Chicago Tribune, 28 Aug. 2026
  • Korn says that Miller would call at the two hour mark, then 20 minutes later, and in decreasing intervals until Mica was home.
    — CT Jones, Rolling Stone, 26 Aug. 2026
Definition of interval
Noun
  • The explosions provide different interruptions, punctuating the moment as one of Keeley’s ideas plays out in real time.
    — Dessi Gomez, Deadline, 26 Aug. 2026
  • The state also acknowledged technical interruptions affecting some schools during this year’s testing window.
    — Katie Pace Miles, New York Daily News, 25 Aug. 2026
Definition of interruption
Noun
  • Manon Bannerman and Sophia Laforteza are taking separate hiatuses from Katseye; while Bannerman’s status in the group remains unknown, Laforteza’s mental-health break will continue until she’s reassessed in September.
    — Alejandra Gularte, Vulture, 24 Aug. 2026
  • The father of two has been on a bit of a hiatus for personal reasons after a series of significant challenges.
    — Madeleine Marr, Miami Herald, 24 Aug. 2026
Definition of hiatus
Noun
  • Another arguably bigger factor is the return of student debt payments and credit bureau reporting after a Covid-era pause.
    — Matt Egan, CNN Money, 25 Aug. 2026
  • There was a pause, as a room full of songwriters — the event was specifically for the Recording Academy’s Songwriters & Composers Wing — erupted into laughter.
    — Chris Willman, Variety, 25 Aug. 2026
Definition of pause
Noun
  • Researchers at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) have uncovered a new processor attack that can bypass defenses in Intel and AMD chips by exploiting a security gap lasting only a handful of instructions.
    — Atharva Gosavi, Interesting Engineering, 28 Aug. 2026
  • That’s not an easy gap to close, especially in a state with strict budget caps.
    — Theo Peck-Suzuki, Hartford Courant, 28 Aug. 2026
Definition of gap
Noun
  • Standing at two hours and 30 minutes, along with a 15-minute intermission, the narrative plants you in the middle of a world of ironies.
    — Charlotte Observer, Charlotte Observer, 28 Aug. 2026
  • That day abruptly ushered Jake’s family into a new act, like a curtain dropping at intermission.
    — Caroline Cherston, STAT, 25 Aug. 2026
Definition of intermission

Browse Nearby Words

interloping
interlude
interludes
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Interlude.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/interlude. Accessed 1 Sep. 2026.

Copy Citation

More from Merriam-Webster on interlude

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about interlude

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?

What's the difference between 'fascism' and 'socialism'?

Why does English have so many silent letters?

7 Pairs of Commonly Confused Words
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

Ye Olde Nincompoop: Old-Fashioned Words for 'Stupid'

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

Even More Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

Even More Bird Names that Sound Like Insults (and Sometimes Are)

12 Lovely and Unusual Words for the Natural World
See More

Popular

See More

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

Ye Olde Nincompoop: Old-Fashioned Words for 'Stupid'

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
skateboard-dog-hat
Wordmaxxing Slang Quiz Give your vocabulary a glow up by getting sendy w...
See All