Synonyms of pause

pause 1 of 2

verb

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

• hesitate
• break
• stop
• interrupt
• catch one's breath
• hold one's horses
• finish
• cease
• break in
• end
• terminate
• discontinue
• lapse
• lay off
• quit
• let up
• knock off

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• continue
• persist
• advance
• extend
• stretch
• progress
• prolong

pause

2 of 2

noun

ˈpȯz 

1

as in lull

a momentary halt in an activity

there was a brief pause for applause in her speech

Synonyms & Similar Words

• lull
• breath
• interruption
• break
• recess
• rest
• interval
• breather
• stopping
• time-out
• interlude
• suspension
• intermission
• lapse
• respite
• interim
• cessation
• stoppage
• finishing
• hiatus
• downtime
• gap
• hitch
• expiration
• discontinuance
• termination
• moratorium
• ending
• abeyance
• discontinuity
• surcease

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• progress
• continuation
• persistence
• progression
• endurance
• extension
• prolongation

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

• hesitation
• hesitancy
• hesitance
• delay
• indecision
• deliberation
• faltering
• vacillation
• wavering
• wobbling
• irresolution
• uncertainty
• waiting
• fence-sitting
• doubt
• shilly-shallying
• shilly-shally
• reluctance
• consideration
• debate
• second thought
• procrastination
• hawing
• arrière-pensée
• indetermination
• incertitude
• unwillingness
• indecisiveness
• avoidance
• misgiving
• timidity
• indisposition
• equivocation
• disinclination
• faintheartedness
• uncertainness
• shyness
• timidness
• aversion

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• resolution
• determination
• confidence
• certainty
• firmness
• certitude
• readiness
• eagerness
• decisiveness
• alacrity
• resoluteness
• sureness

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of pause

Verb

Russia and Ukraine had agreed to pause attacks on each other’s capitals for the duration of the weekend of diplomacy, which came after months without significant progress toward resolution. — Lex Harvey, CNN Money, 8 Sep. 2026

Twenty-seven states allow the death penalty, but governors in four of them — California, Ohio, Oregon and Pennsylvania — have paused executions. — Los Angeles Times, 8 Sep. 2026

Noun

Once again, the shuttle program was put on pause, this time for more than three years. — Richard Tribou, The Orlando Sentinel, 6 Sep. 2026

So, to have my life be put on pause was daunting and a really confusing, chaotic, scary time for me. — Ilana Kaplan, PEOPLE, 4 Sep. 2026