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
Mercury News, 29 Mar. 2026
His wife Carroll’s death from cancer in 2020 gave him pause.
—Marcia Dunn, Chicago Tribune, 29 Mar. 2026
wendy Wisner, Parents, 3 Apr. 2026
In anticipation of this summer’s World Cup games at Arrowhead Stadium, Sporting KC is offering free tickets for each of its four remaining home games ahead of Major League Soccer’s World Cup pause.
—Pj Green
april 3, Kansas City Star, 3 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for pause
Verb
Play paused shortly after the opening kickoff as defender Joelle Anderson went down following a collision with a teammate on the pitch.
—Mercury News, 29 Mar. 2026
His wife Carroll’s death from cancer in 2020 gave him pause.
—Marcia Dunn, Chicago Tribune, 29 Mar. 2026
Noun
Practice non-reaction This can feel counterintuitive, but sometimes the best strategy is to take a pause and not immediately react or intervene when your child is melting down.
—wendy Wisner, Parents, 3 Apr. 2026
In anticipation of this summer’s World Cup games at Arrowhead Stadium, Sporting KC is offering free tickets for each of its four remaining home games ahead of Major League Soccer’s World Cup pause.
—Pj Green
april 3, Kansas City Star, 3 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for pause
Recent Examples of Synonyms for pause
Verb
-
Don’t hesitate to step away if things get too heated.—
Tarot.com,
Baltimore Sun,
4 Apr. 2026
-
Evaluate your silver investment options with precision, then, and don't hesitate to use the experts associated with precious metal investing companies who can better assist you and help you get started securely.—
Matt Richardson,
CBS News,
3 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Signs of growing confidence began to emerge late last year as exit values picked up and cash distribution for investors started flowing again, encouraging private equity to resume preparations to launch new funds after a multiyear lull in activity.—
Anniek Bao,
CNBC,
27 Mar. 2026
-
Loose ends and compelling payoffs await after a subdued and slow-ish first frame that struggles with a balance between dark brooding and uneven lull.—
David John Chávez,
Mercury News,
27 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Connecticut students should not lose access to meaningful support because of hesitation.—
Christopher P. DeSanctis,
Hartford Courant,
2 Apr. 2026
-
The Mets don’t have any hesitation in letting Benge face lefties, but wanted to keep Robert’s bat in the lineup.—
Abbey Mastracco,
New York Daily News,
2 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Some Native American tribes refer to the April full moon as the breaking ice moon, the frog moon, the sucker moon and the budding moon of plants and shrubs.—
Hali Smith
March 31,
Idaho Statesman,
31 Mar. 2026
-
How to break the car rental rage cycle Don't get mad.—
Christopher Elliott,
USA Today,
31 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Cameron House is dreamy, in part for its location and breath-taking views and in part for its blend of baronial grandeur and modern luxury.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
1 Apr. 2026
-
The show’s set, designed by Hildegard Bechtler, centers around a panel which features — in bright, yellow lettering — the day and time, taking the audience from Sunday morning to Wednesday evening, when Romeo and Juliet take their final breaths.—
Ellise Shafer,
Variety,
1 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
After the Veach interview ended, Schrager talked about Veach’s hesitancy.—
Pete Grathoff,
Kansas City Star,
31 Mar. 2026
-
That hesitancy drove some of the conspiracy theories about Epstein’s death.—
Erik Ortiz,
NBC news,
25 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
As the city has become a year-round base, their clients—often finance and tech principals relocating from New York and California—expect homes to support work, family life, and entertaining without interruption.—
Abby Montanez,
Robb Report,
31 Mar. 2026
-
The structure remains fairly traditional, allowing the images to carry the weight of the story without interruption.—
Caterina De Biasio,
Vogue,
31 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
That likely means there won’t be any hesitance by Stammen to use his higher-leverage relievers today and tomorrow.—
Kevin Acee,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
27 Mar. 2026
-
That the Astros even added Vázquez underscores their hesitance to hand César Salazar the backup role, despite Salazar’s familiarity with their pitching staff and strong clubhouse reputation.—
Matt Kawahara,
Houston Chronicle,
17 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Pause.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/pause. Accessed 5 Apr. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
