parenthesis

noun

pə-ˈren(t)-thə-səs How to pronounce parenthesis (audio)
Definition of parenthesisnext
as in interval
a break in continuity there was a parenthesis of silence when the microphone momentarily lost power

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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 parenthesis All figures in parentheses below are current estimates for those crop years in million bales. — Sj Guest Editorial, Footwear News, 18 Aug. 2026 The work, of course, remains unfinished, although the parenthesis’s open-endedness functioned like a magnet for countless later writers, inviting them to graft their versions of how the book should continue. — Literary Hub, 18 Aug. 2026 Their ages as of the start of next season are in parentheses. — Zach Harper, New York Times, 4 Aug. 2026 Where else could Alfred, Lord Tennyson, share a parenthesis with Ed Sheeran and the Foo Fighters? — Anthony Lane, New Yorker, 3 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for parenthesis
Recent Examples of Synonyms for parenthesis
  1. interval
  2. interruption
  3. hiatus
  4. pause
  5. gap
Noun
  • Food sequencing doesn't require separating foods by a set interval, Chaudhry said.
    — Deirdre Bardolf, FOXNews.com, 6 Nov. 2026
  • Teams can break that interval into delivery time, acknowledgment time and confirmed ownership.
    — Judit Sharon, Forbes.com, 5 Nov. 2026
Definition of interval
Noun
  • An interruption can feel urgent simply because someone else is waiting for your answer.
    — Tarot.com, Baltimore Sun, 3 Nov. 2026
  • Trip cancellation, interruption and delay coverage One of the most basic coverages of travel insurance is trip cancellation, which reimburses you for certain expenses if something prevents you from taking all or some of a trip.
    — Aly J Yale, CBS News, 2 Nov. 2026
Definition of interruption
Noun
  • Film Festival set to return in December 2027 after a decade-long hiatus.
    — Essie Assibu, Variety, 2 Nov. 2026
  • Rumors abound as to why Strokes guitarist Nick Valensi has been on indefinite hiatus from his longtime band since May, but that hasn’t stopped him from playing with other artists.
    — Alex Suskind, Pitchfork, 29 Oct. 2026
Definition of hiatus
Noun
  • While older generations may interpret limited eye contact, a flat expression or a pause before responding as rude, lazy or unprofessional, that might not be a younger person’s intent at all, Leahy said.
    — CNN Money, CNN Money, 24 Oct. 2026
  • The pause lasted more than a year, straining cattle supply and contributing to record-high beef prices.
    — Deirdre Bardolf, FOXNews.com, 24 Oct. 2026
Definition of pause
Noun
  • That pricing gap reinforces PSA's lead and gives its decisions about fees and submission services considerable influence over the resale market.
    — Matthew Tan, CNBC, 7 Nov. 2026
  • The revenue generated by higher parking fees was a key factor in closing a $66 million budget gap this fiscal year.
    — Jennah Pendleton, Sacbee.com, 6 Nov. 2026
Definition of gap

Browse Nearby Words

parentheses
parenthesis
parenthetically
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Cite this Entry

“Parenthesis.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/parenthesis. Accessed 8 Nov. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on parenthesis

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about parenthesis

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