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 Top 10 With records through Monday and previous rankings in parentheses. — Steve Millar, Chicago Tribune, 25 May 2026 The prose is hypnotic, all the more so for its many digressions and parentheses, unveiling tiny set pieces like so many Fabergé eggs. — Literary Hub, 13 May 2026 Salary values for 2026-27 in parentheses. — Zack Cox, Boston Herald, 8 May 2026 The last two highlight lines alter the way Vim highlights matching parentheses by changing the highlight method to an underline instead of a big full-height cursor-emulating block. — Lee Hutchinson, ArsTechnica, 6 May 2026 See All Example Sentences for parenthesis
Recent Examples of Synonyms for parenthesis
  1. interval
  2. interruption
  3. hiatus
  4. pause
  5. gap
Noun
  • Also, ibogaine’s prolongation of the heart’s QT intervals carries a real risk of fatal arrhythmia.
    — Michelle Lhooq, New Yorker, 7 Aug. 2026
  • The Maya, for example, observed and calculated intervals between solar and lunar eclipses, building predictions and calendars around the pattern.
    — Claire Cameron, Scientific American, 6 Aug. 2026
Definition of interval
Noun
  • In a news release shared Tuesday, Verizon said that service interruptions affected people across Los Angeles County and other parts of the region after vandals cut multiple fiber cables.
    — Dean Fioresi, CBS News, 12 Aug. 2026
  • But Wills’ career has had numerous injury interruptions, most recently a leg injury in 2024 that required osteotomy surgery and kept him out of the 2025 season as well.
    — Dan Wiederer, New York Times, 12 Aug. 2026
Definition of interruption
Noun
  • The Houthi attacks could reignite Yemen's civil war after a four-year hiatus following a 2022 truce, and open a new front in the Middle East war.
    — Frank Andrews, CBS News, 11 Aug. 2026
  • The return of the enforcers The 49ers brought back receiver Deebo Samuel after his one-year hiatus with the Washington Commanders.
    — Chris Biderman, Sacbee.com, 10 Aug. 2026
Definition of hiatus
Noun
  • If friends tug you into big plans, leave room for edits and ask for feedback tomorrow, since a pause protects your clever mood.
    — Tarot.com, Baltimore Sun, 10 Aug. 2026
  • Moka is reserved for mornings at home and there’s always time for an espresso pause, and never for a caffeine rush.
    — Jenn Rice, Forbes.com, 10 Aug. 2026
Definition of pause
Noun
  • Furthermore, understanding compensation gaps helps identify valuable expertise and actionable development paths.
    — Sho Dewan, Forbes.com, 8 Aug. 2026
  • Missouri’s Ramon Fiorini looked to widen the gap on Ginga Ninja, but his first go resulted in a re-ride, and the Freedom’s Alex Cerqueira also got a re-ride on Big Red to follow it up.
    — Ava DiCecca, Sun Sentinel, 8 Aug. 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 13 Aug. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on parenthesis

Nglish: Translation of parenthesis for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about parenthesis

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