Merriam-Webster Logo
SINCE 1828
Menu
dictionary thesaurus

Thesaurus

pause

noun

Synonyms and Antonyms of pause

1 a momentary halt in an activity
  • there was a brief pause for applause in her speech
Synonyms of pause

break, breath, breather, interruption, lull, recess
Words Related to pause

time-out

interim, interlude, intermission, interval, respite, rest

cessation, discontinuance, downtime, ending, expiration, finishing, hitch, lapse, stoppage, stopping, termination

abeyance, moratorium, surcease, suspension

discontinuity, gap, hiatus
Near Antonyms of pause

continuation, endurance, persistence, progress, progression

extension, prolongation
2 a state or an instance of temporary inaction because of uncertainty about the right course of action
  • the question caught the professor off guard, and there was a pause before he responded
Synonyms of pause

faltering, fence-sitting, hesitance, hesitancy, hesitation, indecision, irresolution, shilly-shally, shilly-shallying, vacillation, wavering, wobbling (also wabbling)
Words Related to pause

delay, hawing, procrastination, waiting

arrière-pensée, misgiving, second thought

consideration, debate, deliberation, doubt, incertitude, indecisiveness, indetermination, uncertainness, uncertainty

avoidance, equivocation

aversion, disinclination, indisposition, reluctance, unwillingness

faintheartedness, shyness, timidity, timidness
Near Antonyms of pause

certainty, certitude, confidence, decisiveness, determination, firmness, resoluteness, resolution, sureness

alacrity, eagerness, readiness

pause

verb

Synonyms and Antonyms of pause

to come to a temporary halt in oneʼs activity
  • he paused for a moment to regain his composure
Synonyms of pause

break
Words Related to pause

hesitate

break in, interrupt

cease, discontinue, end, finish, stop, terminate

knock off, lay off, quit

lapse, let up
Phrases Synonymous with pause

catch one's breath, hold one's horses
Near Antonyms of pause

continue, persist

advance, progress

extend, prolong, stretch

Learn More about pause

  1. See words that rhyme with pause Dictionary: Definition of pause Spanish Central: Translation of pause Nglish: Translation of pause for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of pause for Arabic speakers

Seen and Heard

What made you want to look up pause? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).

show comments hide comments

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

WORD OF THE DAY

parabolic

Listen to the pronounciation of parabolic

of or relating to a parable or parabola

Get Word of the Day daily email!

TRENDING NOW

  1. crawdad New novel makes waves

  2. non sequitur, sequitur Manafort judge addresses defense

  3. trope AOC tweets against border wall

SEE ALL

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Words at Play

Ask the Editors

Word Games