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

God of War paused production Immediately following the incident. — Nellie Andreeva, Deadline, 3 Aug. 2026

Moss paused to watch, as an oak catkin blew down and nestled in his hair. — Nick Paumgarten, New Yorker, 3 Aug. 2026

Noun

Mets fans may note that neither Sproat nor Williams is setting the world ablaze in 2026 — perhaps that will give you pause before getting too excited about Smith, Pitre and Hill. — Andy McCullough, New York Times, 2 Aug. 2026

While some are heading to local farmers markets, hoping their lettuce is more safe, most people appear to be taking a vegetable pause. — Brie Stimson, FOXNews.com, 1 Aug. 2026