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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
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Recent Examples of pause
Katie Campione, Deadline, 26 Apr. 2026
Tehran has insisted that the fighting in Lebanon remain paused as a precondition for further peace talks with the United States.
—Npr Staff, NPR, 25 Apr. 2026
ABC News, 24 Apr. 2026
And Miami’s relatively low salaries and high rents may give pause to new grads considering a move to Miami.
—Catherine Odom, Miami Herald, 24 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for pause
Verb
After pausing negotiations to make way for the WGA in March, SAG-AFTRA and the AMPTP will resume talks on Monday morning as planned.
—Katie Campione, Deadline, 26 Apr. 2026
Tehran has insisted that the fighting in Lebanon remain paused as a precondition for further peace talks with the United States.
—Npr Staff, NPR, 25 Apr. 2026
Noun
During the pope’s visit, separatist groups announced a three-day pause in fighting.
—ABC News, 24 Apr. 2026
And Miami’s relatively low salaries and high rents may give pause to new grads considering a move to Miami.
—Catherine Odom, Miami Herald, 24 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for pause
Recent Examples of Synonyms for pause
Verb
-
That qualifies as a bold move in an era when legendary and up-and-coming artists alike often hesitate to perform even one or two songs from their latest albums — the better to avoid an exodus of attendees making a beeline for refreshments, restrooms or the merch booths.—
George Varga,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
24 Apr. 2026
-
At the same time, what is happening right now should not undermine confidence in hospice care or cause patients and families in California and across the country to hesitate when considering it.—
Tom Koutsoumpas,
Oc Register,
24 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
But this lull in anti-vaccine rhetoric and action should not be mistaken for a durable pivot in federal vaccine policy.—
Will Walters,
STAT,
23 Apr. 2026
-
Yet, instead of taking advantage of this lull to prepare for the future by upgrading transmission lines and incorporating smart grid technologies en masse, policymakers procrastinated.—
Big Think,
Big Think,
22 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
What made the league’s hesitation so baffling is that Clark’s rise lifts everyone around her.—
Bobby Burack OutKick,
FOXNews.com,
22 Apr. 2026
-
But when Niesen presented the plans to the abbot of the monastery, he was met with hesitation.—
Jackie Hajdenberg,
Sun Sentinel,
21 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
The film broke records for the best box office performance for a biopic in North America in its opening weekend and made $314 million worldwide in its first weekend in theaters.—
Staff Author,
PEOPLE,
27 Apr. 2026
-
For travelers looking to break a sweat, there is a gym with two Pelotons, a handful of treadmills, and weights—plus a small outdoor space for yoga.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
27 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
While people slowed down and tried to catch their breath, the robots just stood there like nothing happened.—
Adriana James-Rodil,
FOXNews.com,
22 Apr. 2026
-
Jonathan Gray sounds a little out of breath as the snow falls around him.—
Rachel Ventresca,
Fortune,
21 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
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
-
This hesitancy is showing up in the market.—
Becca Stanek,
TheWeek,
7 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
That means fewer interruptions and a smoother flow.—
Kurt Knutsson,
FOXNews.com,
21 Apr. 2026
-
Federal research grants have started to flow again, after major interruptions over the past several months.—
Caleb Hellerman,
CNN Money,
20 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Some supporters of the Wide Awakes’ rebirth have expressed hesitance about its aesthetics, especially the optics of torch-wielding vigilantes marching through the streets.—
Mia Cathell,
The Washington Examiner,
27 Apr. 2026
-
Shares of McCormick fell 6% in morning trading, while Unilever's stock down 4%, reflecting investors' hesitance about the mega-merger.—
Amelia Lucas,
CNBC,
31 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Pause.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/pause. Accessed 28 Apr. 2026.
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