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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

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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 interlude The Thai public was willing to tolerate only short interludes of military rule, and coup makers had no choice but to promise the imminent restoration of democracy. — Duncan McCargo, Foreign Affairs, 24 Aug. 2026 There’s a spike about an hour before first pitch, a rock-and-roll interlude to spur his adrenaline. — Zack Meisel, New York Times, 20 Aug. 2026 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 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
  • As much as there’s little room for nuance in the interval of frenzied overreaction that is Week 1 of the NFL season, two seemingly contradictory statements can be true at the exact same time.
    — Anthony Crupi, Sportico.com, 18 Sep. 2026
  • The reactor would also need a fuel replacement interval of at least five years.
    — Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 16 Sep. 2026
Definition of interval
Noun
  • Celebrities including Lupita Nyong’o, Sharon Stone, John Boyega and Michelle Williams attended at the WSA Building in downtown Manhattan for this season’s show, which continued despite the interruption.
    — Oscar Holland, CNN Money, 14 Sep. 2026
  • Mercury opposes hazy Neptune, making expectations unclear and interruptions harder to manage.
    — Tarot.com, Sun Sentinel, 12 Sep. 2026
Definition of interruption
Noun
  • After a 45-year hiatus, Formula 1 racing is returning to Madrid this weekend with the Spanish Grand Prix.
    — Jibin Joseph, PC Magazine, 13 Sep. 2026
  • Baker is taking a hiatus from competing after her mother decided to ‘retire’ from the grooming side of the equation.
    — Tilly Berendt, New York Times, 11 Sep. 2026
Definition of hiatus
Noun
  • Lawrence has widened his aim to the entire AI industry, calling for a pause on AI development in the wake of fears from some at the companies that the technology could eliminate humanity.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 19 Sep. 2026
  • Wade said the massive makeover by the Heat, in contrast, likely created pause for his former Heat teammate.
    — Ira Winderman, Sun Sentinel, 19 Sep. 2026
Definition of pause
Noun
  • The exact circumstances in each nation differ, but vaccination gaps are a common thread, leading some experts to question if more catastrophic measles outbreaks are around the corner.
    — Lauren J. Young, Scientific American, 18 Sep. 2026
  • For his part, Johnson has cast undetailed settlement costs as an unavoidable key driver of the city’s looming $882 million budget gap.
    — Jake Sheridan, Chicago Tribune, 18 Sep. 2026
Definition of gap
Noun
  • Cinematographer Adam Carboni frames most of the movie in a glowing daytime warmth, peppered with gorgeous intermissions that plunge the audience into starry nights that give the whole affair a music video-like pulse.
    — Alison Foreman, IndieWire, 17 Sep. 2026
  • The Texas head coach had abandoned a halftime on-field interview with Laura Rutledge, which the sideline reporter chalked up to technical difficulties that cut into the coach’s limited halftime intermission.
    — Kyle Feldscher, CNN Money, 15 Sep. 2026
Definition of intermission

Browse Nearby Words

interloping
interlude
interludes
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Cite this Entry

“Interlude.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/interlude. Accessed 22 Sep. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on interlude

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about interlude

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