as in to hesitate
to come to a temporary halt in one's activity
he paused for a moment to regain his composure
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in lull
a momentary halt in an activity
there was a brief pause for applause in her speech
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in hesitation
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 & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of pause
Fousia Abdullahi, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 9 May 2026
Aging systems and appliances tend to raise red flags during inspections, giving buyers pause — and negotiating power.
—Sharon Wu, USA Today, 8 May 2026
Amy Taxin, Chicago Tribune, 8 May 2026
Ukraine and Russia agreed Friday to a three-day halt in fighting during Russia’s annual commemoration of the Soviet victory over Nazi Germany in World War II, a pause to begin Saturday and to include a swap of 1,000 prisoners from each side.
—Steve Hendrix, Washington Post, 8 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for pause
Verb
Traffic will be paused intermittently along FM 1709 between Randol Mill/Davis Boulevard and Peytonville.
—Fousia Abdullahi, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 9 May 2026
Aging systems and appliances tend to raise red flags during inspections, giving buyers pause — and negotiating power.
—Sharon Wu, USA Today, 8 May 2026
Noun
Meanwhile, the pause remains in affect for thousands of others including researchers and entrepreneurs from 39 countries including Iran, Afghanistan and Venezuela.
—Amy Taxin, Chicago Tribune, 8 May 2026
Ukraine and Russia agreed Friday to a three-day halt in fighting during Russia’s annual commemoration of the Soviet victory over Nazi Germany in World War II, a pause to begin Saturday and to include a swap of 1,000 prisoners from each side.
—Steve Hendrix, Washington Post, 8 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for pause
Recent Examples of Synonyms for pause
Verb
-
New parents often hesitate to communicate their evolving needs at work, but Lauren Smith Brody emphasizes that speaking up about flexible arrangements can enhance not only their own work-life balance but also benefit colleagues and overall company performance.—
Big Think,
Big Think,
8 May 2026
-
With that possibility in mind, the Thunder didn’t hesitate to trade another of their 2026 first-round picks (and three future second-rounders) for sharpshooting guard Jared McCain, the Corona kid whose 13 second-half points Thursday were absolute backbreakers.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
8 May 2026
Noun
-
There’s typically an offseason lull with most players, so drops in price or sales volume aren’t abnormal this time of year for NFL players.—
Benjamin Burrows,
New York Times,
10 May 2026
-
Amana Images Inc Sometimes, a lull in the mortgage interest rate climate can be a good thing for borrowers.—
Matt Richardson,
CBS News,
8 May 2026
Noun
-
From Bugenhagen’s perspective, these patterns contribute to hesitation and uncertainty, particularly for individuals seeking long-term relationships, as the process becomes less about connection and more about verification.—
Miami Herald,
Miami Herald,
6 May 2026
-
Neighbors concerned homes will ‘dominate’ district Homeowners around the Whitewater lot had their own hesitations about the plan.—
Mark Dee
May 6,
Idaho Statesman,
6 May 2026
Verb
-
Even the ugly stuff broke the Knicks’ way.—
C.J. Holmes,
New York Daily News,
5 May 2026
-
Venus Williams was not the only guest to break the fourth wall with an artistic reference to herself.—
Beatrice Dupuy,
Chicago Tribune,
5 May 2026
Noun
-
Take a breath before responding.—
Tarot.com,
Baltimore Sun,
7 May 2026
-
Studios never take a breath these days, especially in an uncertain and highly competitive streaming environment.—
David Faris,
TheWeek,
6 May 2026
Noun
-
State data suggests this hesitancy may continue into childhood.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
27 Apr. 2026
-
Despite Pickford’s relative hesitancy to engage aerially, Everton have been one of the most effective teams in the league at defending corners, conceding just five goals, the joint third fewest in the Premier League.—
Matt Pyzdrowski,
New York Times,
8 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Construction on the people mover was initially supposed to be substantially complete by December 2018, and service interruptions were supposed to be kept to a minimum during construction.—
Kori Rumore,
Chicago Tribune,
6 May 2026
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What could’ve turned into a game of foul trouble and interruptions instead turned into a game Brunson controlled anyway.—
C.J. Holmes,
New York Daily News,
5 May 2026
Noun
-
After a pause for the coronavirus pandemic in 2020, social hesitance was still evident and masks were incorporated into some of the night's designs.—
Luis Giraldo,
CBS News,
4 May 2026
-
Sensing hesitance as well as incompetence, coaches and players alike tried to sway the flailing fill-ins at every turn.—
Michael Silver,
New York Times,
30 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Pause.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/pause. Accessed 11 May. 2026.
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