pause 1 of 2

verb

Definition of pausenext
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

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

pause

2 of 2

noun

ˈpȯz How to pronounce pause (audio)
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 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 pause
Verb
The order will pause state permitting for new large data centers and direct state regulators to create standards that address environmental impacts, energy demand, water usage and other factors, the governor's office said. — ABC News, 14 July 2026 In effect, the executive order pauses state permitting for new large data centers and direct state regulators to create standards that address environmental impacts, energy demand, water usage and other factors, the governor’s office said. — Anthony Izaguirre, Fortune, 14 July 2026
Noun
The discomfort of that pause tells you the discipline is working. — Janet M Harvey, Forbes.com, 10 July 2026 Themed to the famous Spanish tradition, Tormenta Rampaging Run lifts riders high above the Dallas-Fort Worth skyline before a brief pause. — Colson Thayer, PEOPLE, 9 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for pause
Recent Examples of Synonyms for pause
  1. hesitate
  2. lull
  3. hesitation
  4. break
  5. breath
  6. hesitancy
  7. interruption
  8. hesitance
Verb
  • The French back line hesitated for a brief second, anticipating a potential foul, but Porro pressed the advantage and side-footed a shot past Mike Maignan in the 58th minute for the backbreaking goal.
    — Steven Johnson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 15 July 2026
  • Family described him as a kind and humble man who worked hard and never hesitated to help others.
    — Ruben Vives, Los Angeles Times, 14 July 2026
Definition of hesitate
Noun
  • Parties have exploited lulls in fighting to buy time, rebuild capabilities and consolidate political or territorial gains ahead of the next round of conflict.
    — Anthony Wanis-St John, The Conversation, 10 July 2026
  • Oceanfront has long been treated as the aristocrat of waterfront living, prized for its horizon lines, lull of the tide and powerful symbolism of standing where land gives way.
    — Spencer Elliott, Forbes.com, 10 July 2026
Definition of lull
Noun
  • Ndoye didn't shoot on his first touch of the ball, though, and that slight hesitation to control the ball and gather for a shot left just enough time for Argentina to swoop in to block the shot.
    — Andrew Greif, NBC news, 12 July 2026
  • Every moment of hesitation risks a delay in medical treatment or gives a suspect extra time to escape.
    — N'dea Yancey-Bragg, USA Today, 11 July 2026
Definition of hesitation
Verb
  • Vibes were good among volunteers and visitors from around the world and every corner of the United States — and among stadium staffers, who won raises in a late-breaking contract agreement that resulted in increases to more than $30 per hour.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 11 July 2026
  • Even in games when England have struggled, those two have delivered, Bellingham breaking the deadlock against Panama, Kane single-handedly turning the game against DR Congo in the last 32.
    — Jack Pitt-Brooke, New York Times, 11 July 2026
Definition of break
Noun
  • Three of those goals were scored past Iraizoz, the former Athletic Club goalkeeper, including a solo effort in a 2-2 draw at San Mames that still takes your breath away, 13 years later.
    — Charlotte Harpur, New York Times, 10 July 2026
  • Companies are posting record profits and shrinking their management layers in the same breath.
    — Mark Murphy, Forbes.com, 10 July 2026
Definition of breath
Noun
  • Sidewalk safety, a tale of two cities There is no such hesitancy with cities collecting roadway data.
    — Wes Marshall, The Conversation, 2 July 2026
  • The Iranian regime’s apparent hesitancy to resume in-person talks is a significant step back from the high-level talks that took place in Switzerland earlier this month following the signing of a memorandum of understanding between the countries.
    — Shannon K. Kingston, ABC News, 30 June 2026
Definition of hesitancy
Noun
  • Yet, for organizations navigating financial, operational and staffing challenges, these periods of transition can easily become interruptions rather than opportunities.
    — Leslie Anderson, The Orlando Sentinel, 9 July 2026
  • Healthcare providers can’t afford interruptions, especially during a pandemic.
    — Lyssanoel Frater, USA Today, 8 July 2026
Definition of interruption
Noun
  • Dexter grapples with killing her, but Rudy eventually can’t handle Dexter’s hesitance and takes the knife into his own hands—and nearly plunges it into Debra’s chest before Dexter stops him.
    — EW Staff, Entertainment Weekly, 25 June 2026
  • That hesitance in the Republican Party coexists with palpable relief that there’s a ceasefire agreement in the Middle East after months of strikes on Iran.
    — Burgess Everett, semafor.com, 15 June 2026
Definition of hesitance

Browse Nearby Words

paupers
pause
paused
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Cite this Entry

“Pause.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/pause. Accessed 15 Jul. 2026.

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Nglish: Translation of pause for Spanish Speakers

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