PAUSE Synonyms: 111 Similar and Opposite Words

pause 1 of 2

verb

Definition of pause

as in to hesitate

to come to a temporary halt in one's activity he paused for a moment to regain his composure

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

pause

2 of 2

noun

ˈpȯz

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

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

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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

For parents tempted by a cheap fix on social media, this is the one to pause on. — Samantha Agate, Charlotte Observer, 23 Oct. 2026 Push your hips back and bend your knees into a squat position, pausing when your thighs are parallel with the ground. — Sarah Stiefvater, Flow Space, 23 Oct. 2026

Noun

In September 2024, in the middle of combat, Israel agreed to daily nine-hour pauses so that 560,000 Palestinian children could get polio drops. — Arkansas Online, 23 Oct. 2026 Part of the confusion lies with the fact that the midterm elections could change the makeup of Congress, which could lead to new policies or pauses. — Anil Oza, STAT, 23 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for pause

Recent Examples of Synonyms for pause

Verb

Valkyria hesitated for a split second and Bayley took advantage.

— Ryan Gaydos OutKick, FOXNews.com, 27 Oct. 2026
Smear certainly finds Ides of March star Clooney, who never hesitates to put his politics and star power to work, and the rest of the cast stepping into some deep, murky and often digital waters.

— Dominic Patten, Deadline, 26 Oct. 2026

Definition of hesitate

Noun

Still, multiple lobbyists tell me that a flurry of regulator activity has prompted an increase in advocacy for some despite a year that has been otherwise marked by a lull in major legislative activity ahead of the election.

— Megan R. Wilson, Washington Post, 22 Oct. 2026
The upshot of this is that George, who works the room in a sharp gray suit, a few tattoos peeking out, has plenty of opportunities to charismatically make things right, shaking hands and clasping shoulders and sending over lull-filling drinks.

— Helen Rosner, New Yorker, 18 Oct. 2026

Definition of lull

Noun

After some hesitation, the co-anchor finally placed his crown on his head.

— Alexandra Del Rosario, Los Angeles Times, 22 Oct. 2026
The slowdown in investment was put down to government hesitation over changes to Italy’s domestic tax incentive for TV shows and films.

— Jesse Whittock, Deadline, 21 Oct. 2026

Definition of hesitation

Verb

Miami Hurricanes star wide receiver Malachi Toney once again broke records on Saturday.

— Jordan McPherson, Miami Herald, 25 Oct. 2026
The Senate Democrats first elected in 1958 established a critical mass that would later drive the bipartisan super-majorities needed to break the filibuster and pass the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and the Voting Rights Act of 1965.

— Ron Elving, NPR, 24 Oct. 2026

Definition of break

Noun

Meanwhile, Perry and Robert are figuring the logistics of end-of-life care in real time straight through to their charge’s final breath.

— The Week US, TheWeek, 27 Oct. 2026
Doctors detected abnormal breath sounds, and a scan revealed a round blotch in his right lung—a sign of blood, pus, fluid or tissue—but tests for common pathogens came back negative.

— Rachel Melegrito, Scientific American, 26 Oct. 2026

Definition of breath

Noun

Opposition or hesitancy has been less focused on Hasan's death sentence which has broad support among Republicans, but on the decision to broadcast it.

— ABC News, ABC News, 13 Oct. 2026
Consider the party’s hesitancy in addressing the financial ramifications of China’s demographic decline.

— Carl Minzner, Foreign Affairs, 5 Oct. 2026

Definition of hesitancy

Noun

Cheaper lift passes, shorter queues and fewer interruptions on the slopes also sweeten the deal, without compromising on skiing quality.

— Will Barker, TheWeek, 27 Oct. 2026
Still, questions have persisted about who ordered the interruptions to the satellite internet system that Kyiv has relied on for years to counter Moscow's attacks.

— Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 26 Oct. 2026

Definition of interruption

Noun

However, Pritzker’s hesitance to deploy a comprehensive solution to data centers could be his Achilles’ heel in the primaries.

— Patrick McNamara, Chicago Tribune, 6 Sep. 2026
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

Definition of hesitance

Browse Nearby Words

paupers

pause

paused

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Cite this Entry

Style

“Pause.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/pause. Accessed 28 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of pause

verb

noun

Example Sentences

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