as in intervals
a break in continuity
an awkward intermission between speeches
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Recent Examples of intermissions
Newport’s skillful direction drives the more than 3½-hour play (including two intermissions), making every minute count.
—
Michelle F. Solomon, Miami Herald, 26 Mar. 2026
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
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
Michelle F. Solomon, Miami Herald, 26 Mar. 2026
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
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
-
Critics have argued that the lengthy intervals made the program less safe because teams could not improve and iterate quickly, the way commercial space companies like SpaceX do.—
Denise Chow,
NBC news,
26 Mar. 2026
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In an alternative scenario, the cap would stay fixed in nominal dollar terms, in our examples at $100,000 or $70,000 sans bumps for the CPI, for 20 or 30 years, and after those intervals grow in tandem with wages.—
Shawn Tully,
Fortune,
26 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Set boundaries around interruptions and keep promises practical.—
Tarot.com,
Hartford Courant,
25 Mar. 2026
-
Last week, Orbán, who is widely seen as the Kremlin’s biggest advocate in the EU, blocked a 90-billion euro ($106 billion) EU loan to Ukraine over the interruptions and vowed to veto any further pro-Ukraine decisions until oil flows resume.—
Justin Spike,
Los Angeles Times,
25 Mar. 2026
Noun
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Over nearly two decades, BIGBANG has weathered member departures, legal controversies, and years-long hiatuses.—
Hanna Wickes,
Sacbee.com,
20 Mar. 2026
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More than half of the interview subjects self-funded their hiatuses.—
Colleen Newvine,
Los Angeles Times,
17 Feb. 2026
Noun
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Places such as Anstruther and Crail provide natural pauses, with the former offering one of Scotland’s most beautiful tidal pools, offering everything from fresh seafood to small galleries and historic streets to explore.—
Rosie Conroy,
Condé Nast Traveler,
31 Mar. 2026
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Still in effect are various other pauses on legal migration – including a pause on the issuing of immigrant visas for 75 countries, and a pause on all immigration applications from countries covered by the travel ban.—
Ximena Bustillo,
NPR,
30 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Data is the first step There are resources available to pregnant women to close some of the maternal health gaps.—
Briah Lumpkins,
Charlotte Observer,
27 Mar. 2026
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For the latter, a federal program known as 340B does an immense amount of good filling in the gaps in drug affordability.—
Demetrius Atsalis,
Boston Herald,
27 Mar. 2026
Noun
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Where Beyoncé added poetic interludes between songs, in Songs from the Hole, the audience learns about Jacobs' story and how his music spiritually liberates him while simultaneously being among the reasons officials cited for not granting him parole.—
Kara Frame,
NPR,
12 Mar. 2026
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Much will depend on which movies end up winning, what sorts of acceptance speeches are delivered, and whether producers have made the right choices about things like clip packages and musical interludes.—
Josef Adalian,
Vulture,
12 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Intermissions.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/intermissions. Accessed 3 Apr. 2026.
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