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
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
Los Angeles Times, 22 May 2026
San Francisco State Superior Court Judge Richard Darwin, in response to the California Gaming Association’s legal challenge, issued a preliminary injunction Thursday which paused the enforcement of Bonta’s regulations.
—Reeti Malhotra
updated May 21, Sacbee.com, 22 May 2026
Noah Lyons, San Diego Union-Tribune, 23 May 2026
Did the system know when to stop, ask, pause or escalate?
—Regan Peng, Forbes.com, 22 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for pause
Verb
Waymo did not cite a specific instance that prompted the most recent recall, but the company has been forced to pause operations to improve software in several Southern states that have been hit by flash floods, including Texas, Tennessee and Georgia.
—Los Angeles Times, 22 May 2026
San Francisco State Superior Court Judge Richard Darwin, in response to the California Gaming Association’s legal challenge, issued a preliminary injunction Thursday which paused the enforcement of Bonta’s regulations.
—Reeti Malhotra
updated May 21, Sacbee.com, 22 May 2026
Noun
The series, previously run by the La Jolla Town Council and the Rotary Club of La Jolla, hit pause in 2016 because of funding issues but returned in 2022 with the support of the Kiwanis Club of La Jolla.
—Noah Lyons, San Diego Union-Tribune, 23 May 2026
Did the system know when to stop, ask, pause or escalate?
—Regan Peng, Forbes.com, 22 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for pause
Recent Examples of Synonyms for pause
Verb
-
Organizations that hesitate risk not just falling behind but also missing the chance to help shape the future landscape.—
Tom Hood,
Forbes.com,
22 May 2026
-
The couple have since kept a low profile with their relationship, but have not hesitated to show their support for each other on social media and at public events, including the launch party for Holland's non-alcoholic brand Bero in New York City in October 2024.—
Kimberlee Speakman,
PEOPLE,
22 May 2026
Noun
-
The release will also occur in a lull, following a rush of smartphone reviews from the September and October launches.—
Ewan Spence,
Forbes.com,
23 May 2026
-
Others argue the uptick in prices is just a lull before another downturn.—
Semafor Events,
semafor.com,
22 May 2026
Noun
-
There can be apathy and hesitation.—
Nicole Fallert,
USA Today,
14 May 2026
-
For example, during his dominant, 18-point first quarter in the Spurs’ Game 5 win over the Timberwolves, on one play Wembanyama hit a combo of hesitation dribbles into a crossover into a spinning layup over Rudy Gobert.—
Rohan Nadkarni,
NBC news,
14 May 2026
Verb
-
Yet both can break, rendering them oddly both permanent and fragile.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
19 May 2026
-
Trump now faces a break-the-glass moment to avoid gas prices from blowing past Biden-era records highs.—
Matt Egan,
CNN Money,
18 May 2026
Noun
-
An edgy confrontation The Rangers were still seething as Keenan attempted to address the team following a demoralizing 3-1 loss, with a few snapping back or muttering under their breath.—
Vincent Z. Mercogliano,
New York Times,
21 May 2026
-
Grande sings that lyric in a low tone, not quite a whisper, but something just as fragile and out of breath.—
Larisha Paul,
Rolling Stone,
20 May 2026
Noun
-
Now on the Democratic side, at least when this began, there was hesitancy from Democrats, even about Newsom’s idea of fighting fire with fire.—
Hanna Rosin,
The Atlantic,
14 May 2026
-
Cutting that research doesn’t make hesitancy disappear.—
A.J. Russo,
Baltimore Sun,
13 May 2026
Noun
-
To help ensure earnings are reported correctly and reduce the risk of overpayments or benefit interruptions, keep track of hours worked, gross monthly earnings, employer details and pay stubs.—
Diane Winiarski,
Forbes.com,
20 May 2026
-
Full political violence insurance can cover property damage and business interruption tied to terrorism, sabotage, riots, strikes, civil commotion, insurrection, rebellion, mutiny, coup and war.—
Contessa Brewer,Dawn Giel,
CNBC,
19 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 25 May. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
