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
-
This meant that watching your ship blast across the screen — as well as the aliens appearing at random intervals — hit harder for players, ramping up the tension and, ultimately, the fun.—
Daryl Baxter,
Space.com,
4 Apr. 2026
-
Keep microwaving in 10-second intervals, stirring in between, until all of the chocolate is melted.—
Amy Drew Thompson,
The Orlando Sentinel,
1 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Lawmakers say the funding ensures the 460,000 public employees, retirees and dependents who access health care through the Group Insurance Commission (GIC) face no interruptions to their coverage.—
Tim Dunn,
Boston Herald,
7 Apr. 2026
-
Experts attribute the interruptions to supply chain disruptions and a surge in demand, tied in part to panic buying.—
April 2,
CBS News,
2 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Over nearly two decades, BIGBANG has weathered member departures, legal controversies, and years-long hiatuses.—
Hanna Wickes,
Sacbee.com,
20 Mar. 2026
-
More than half of the interview subjects self-funded their hiatuses.—
Colleen Newvine,
Los Angeles Times,
17 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
To travel just one meter, these fish require an average of 30 to 60 seconds of movement, along with eight to nine short pauses and nine one-hour rests on horizontal ledges along their route, according to Phys.—
Maria Mocerino,
Interesting Engineering,
5 Apr. 2026
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The months of rehab, setbacks and pauses took their toll on the living legend.—
Joseph Dycus,
Mercury News,
5 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
The grand promises have fallen short, but there’s a thriving market for AI systems that leverage humans to close gaps.—
Solo Ceesay,
Rolling Stone,
10 Apr. 2026
-
Oftentimes, these keyboards have circular keys instead of square ones, which allows for bigger gaps between the keys.—
BestReviews,
Mercury News,
10 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
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
-
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 13 Apr. 2026.
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