as in intervals
a break in continuity
an awkward intermission between speeches
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Recent Examples of intermissions
The wave of customers who visit the concession stands during intermissions makes speed of service more important for venues than for most stores, restaurants or taverns.
—
David Bruce, USA Today, 24 Feb. 2026
After the first of two intermissions (a choice that logistically makes sense but somewhat slows the pace), the action jumps to Marlene’s present day, in the early years of conservative politician Margaret Thatcher’s tenure as the UK’s prime minister.
—Emily McClanathan, Chicago Tribune, 20 Feb. 2026
The reason McDavid knows that for a fact is that Crosby was around the team before, and — perhaps more notably — during the game, in the room at intermissions trying to help Canada find solutions for Finland’s trademark stifling defensive style.
—Arpon Basu, New York Times, 20 Feb. 2026
There were multiple intermissions, but those became part of the show as well, as there was no set time limit.
—Todd Martens, Los Angeles Times, 10 Feb. 2026
The long intermissions can tell us a lot about the music that has made us (Springsteen, McCartney, Diana Ross, U2) and serve as a barometer for the current culture (Kendrick Lamar) — kind of like the headlining spots at the Austin City Limits Music Festival.
—Matthew Odam, Austin American Statesman, 5 Feb. 2026
The three-hour running time (with two 10-minute intermissions) moves briskly—a pace López insists on in his script.
—Michelle F. Solomon, Miami Herald, 16 Jan. 2026
From rant, to results — and maybe a bit less Spoelstra stress during intermissions.
—Ira Winderman, Sun Sentinel, 2 Jan. 2026
The standard time for Broadway intermissions ranges between 15 and 20 minutes, long enough to stretch your legs, maybe grab a snack, and hit the washroom.
—Kate Erbland, IndieWire, 18 Nov. 2025
David Bruce, USA Today, 24 Feb. 2026
After the first of two intermissions (a choice that logistically makes sense but somewhat slows the pace), the action jumps to Marlene’s present day, in the early years of conservative politician Margaret Thatcher’s tenure as the UK’s prime minister.
—Emily McClanathan, Chicago Tribune, 20 Feb. 2026
The reason McDavid knows that for a fact is that Crosby was around the team before, and — perhaps more notably — during the game, in the room at intermissions trying to help Canada find solutions for Finland’s trademark stifling defensive style.
—Arpon Basu, New York Times, 20 Feb. 2026
There were multiple intermissions, but those became part of the show as well, as there was no set time limit.
—Todd Martens, Los Angeles Times, 10 Feb. 2026
The long intermissions can tell us a lot about the music that has made us (Springsteen, McCartney, Diana Ross, U2) and serve as a barometer for the current culture (Kendrick Lamar) — kind of like the headlining spots at the Austin City Limits Music Festival.
—Matthew Odam, Austin American Statesman, 5 Feb. 2026
The three-hour running time (with two 10-minute intermissions) moves briskly—a pace López insists on in his script.
—Michelle F. Solomon, Miami Herald, 16 Jan. 2026
From rant, to results — and maybe a bit less Spoelstra stress during intermissions.
—Ira Winderman, Sun Sentinel, 2 Jan. 2026
The standard time for Broadway intermissions ranges between 15 and 20 minutes, long enough to stretch your legs, maybe grab a snack, and hit the washroom.
—Kate Erbland, IndieWire, 18 Nov. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for intermissions
Noun
-
There will be four matches per day from June 13-23 and six per day from June 24-27, many at irregular times and intervals.—
Henry Bushnell,
New York Times,
3 Mar. 2026
-
Digging in at irregular intervals can disrupt your circadian rhythm, slow down your metabolism, and interfere with digestion.—
Caroline Tien,
SELF,
2 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Iran has reasons to limit the trade interruptions.—
Kevin Williams,
CNBC,
11 Mar. 2026
-
Brent, the global benchmark, may climb further in the days ahead after the United Arab Emirates and Kuwait started reducing oil production amid a near-closure of the vital Strait of Hormuz waterway, adding to interruptions affecting worldwide energy supply and exports.—
Christine Burke,
Bloomberg,
8 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
More than half of the interview subjects self-funded their hiatuses.—
Colleen Newvine,
Los Angeles Times,
17 Feb. 2026
-
More than half of the interview subjects self-funded their hiatuses.—
Colleen Newvine,
Fortune,
15 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
When investment pauses, jobs and competitiveness are put at risk all across our communities.—
Steve Sadin,
Chicago Tribune,
9 Mar. 2026
-
American sports have long been built around pauses in play that double as inventory for advertisers.—
Tristan Bove,
Fortune,
9 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Seal any cracks and gaps around windows, doors, vents, and utilities ports into the house.—
Arricca Elin SanSone,
Southern Living,
6 Mar. 2026
-
Suggestions for this zone are to remove combustible items and vegetation; screen vents and fill gaps in or totally enclose eaves; and clear debris from a home’s roof, gutters and deck.—
Julie Gallant,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
5 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Newsom details the everyday struggle living with his mom after his parents divorced and occasional interludes into his father’s life charmed by the Gettys’ affluence, including that day when the Gettys outfitted him in designer clothes at a luxury department store.—
Taryn Luna,
Los Angeles Times,
15 Feb. 2026
-
The tracks here are shorter, often resembling the plangent interludes one finds studded across Boards of Canada albums, but dressed up in Western wear.—
Daniel Bromfield,
Pitchfork,
11 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Intermissions.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/intermissions. Accessed 14 Mar. 2026.
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