PARENTHESIS Synonyms: 38 Similar and Opposite Words

parenthesis

noun

pə-ˈren(t)-thə-səs

Definition of parenthesis

as in interval

a break in continuity there was a parenthesis of silence when the microphone momentarily lost power

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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 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 The tutor recognized the expression, asked him to clarify his parentheses, and guided him through a second application of the difference-of-squares pattern. — Ray Ravaglia, Forbes.com, 21 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for parenthesis

Recent Examples of Synonyms for parenthesis

Noun

Since 1972, timekeepers have added 27 positive leap seconds to UTC, at very irregular intervals.

— Vahe Peroomian, The Conversation, 8 Oct. 2026
Named Maai after a Japanese term (ma-ai) relating to meaningful spacing, timing, or intervals, the 154-foot superyacht combines Japanese restraint with Italian conviviality to create an onboard environment that can be both zen and buzzy.

— Rachel Cormack, Robb Report, 7 Oct. 2026

Definition of interval

Noun

If every interruption becomes a priority, planning gradually disappears.

— Julien Fortuit, Forbes.com, 6 Oct. 2026
The five original Nobel Prizes were created under the terms of Swedish inventor and industrialist Alfred Nobel’s will and have been awarded since 1901, with only limited interruptions, chiefly during World War I and World War II.

— Reuters, NBC news, 5 Oct. 2026

Definition of interruption

Noun

After putting together a season nowhere close to his standard, Koepka took a month-long hiatus from competitive golf before electing to try and retool with some reps on the DP World Tour.

— Mark Harris OutKick, FOXNews.com, 5 Oct. 2026
The group went on hiatus in 2000, returning in 2007 for a global tour and again in 2018-2019, though without Victoria Beckham.

— Lars Brandle, Billboard, 2 Oct. 2026

Definition of hiatus

Noun

The new version centers on Dalin, a single mother who designs bridal gowns and whose devotion to her job has opened a gap between her and her 10-year-old daughter Mina.

— Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 10 Oct. 2026
But the artist has left gaps where the musician had personal photos of friends and family framed.

— Hikmat Mohammed, ARTnews.com, 10 Oct. 2026

Definition of gap

Browse Nearby Words

parentheses

parenthesis

parenthetically

See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

Style

“Parenthesis.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/parenthesis. Accessed 10 Oct. 2026.

Copy Citation

Synonyms of parenthesis

noun

Example Sentences

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

More from Merriam-Webster on parenthesis

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

Luddite

Popular in Grammar & Usage

Do You Need a New Language Peeve?

The Exceptions of '-s' and '-es' Plurals

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?

What's the difference between 'fascism' and 'socialism'?

Popular in Wordplay

The Real Origin of 'Supercalifragilistic'

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

7 Words for Bad Endings and Rough Situations

The Words of the Week - Oct. 9

Even More Bird Names that Sound Like Insults (and Sometimes Are)

Popular

Do You Need a New Language Peeve?

The Real Origin of 'Supercalifragilistic'

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

Games & Quizzes