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
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Recent Examples of pause
Ugonnaora Owoh, Essence, 30 June 2025
The Trump Administration had urged Canada to pause or eliminate the tax, which applies to any tech company making more than $15 million from Canadian internet users.
—Rebecca Schneid, Time, 30 June 2025
Michael McCann, Sportico.com, 29 June 2025
Adding a pause, otherwise known as an isometric hold, at the end range of an exercise (say, the top of a biceps curl), will increase the difficulty level of the move.
—Alyssa Ages, Outside Online, 28 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for pause
Verb
The collision left her hospitalized for an extended period with multiple injuries, forcing her to take a year off from business school and pause her academic pursuits.
—Ugonnaora Owoh, Essence, 30 June 2025
The Trump Administration had urged Canada to pause or eliminate the tax, which applies to any tech company making more than $15 million from Canadian internet users.
—Rebecca Schneid, Time, 30 June 2025
Noun
News of the federal investigation will undoubtedly give NBA teams pause before proceeding to negotiate with Beasley.
—Michael McCann, Sportico.com, 29 June 2025
Adding a pause, otherwise known as an isometric hold, at the end range of an exercise (say, the top of a biceps curl), will increase the difficulty level of the move.
—Alyssa Ages, Outside Online, 28 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for pause
Recent Examples of Synonyms for pause
Verb
-
If the emotional impact of hair loss feels overwhelming, don’t hesitate to ask for support.—
Health,
Health,
26 June 2025
-
Seize Market Share When Competitors Retreat Expand globally when trends align and others hesitate.—
Expert Panel®,
Forbes.com,
26 June 2025
Noun
-
In the depths of life’s lulls, it was forgotten, left in a bun for days, dry, untouched.—
Sophie Meharenna,
Allure,
2 July 2025
-
Allocations will be adjusted dynamically with gold exposure increasing during crypto market downturns, and bitcoin exposure increasing when gold is in a lull period.—
Aaron Stanley,
Forbes.com,
30 June 2025
Noun
-
Their only hesitation were their concerns for his future.—
Angela Andaloro,
People.com,
26 June 2025
-
These travelers pausing their U.S. visits aren't swearing off the U.S. forever, but their hesitation shows the country's current political actions aren't going unnoticed.—
Kathleen Wong,
USA Today,
23 June 2025
Verb
-
This prevents unwritten rules from being bent or broken.—
Nate Bennett,
Forbes.com,
1 July 2025
-
Having fared well at home on Show TV, the series is one of a growing number of Turkish dramas breaking into Western Europe.—
Stewart Clarke,
Deadline,
1 July 2025
Noun
-
As businesses held their breath for the arrival of 2025, there was a striking decline in merger and acquisition (M&A) activity.—
Matt Kunkel,
Forbes.com,
27 June 2025
-
Allen suggests that human life energy, which is inherently linked to God’s divine breath, follows the same law.—
Ascend Agency,
Chicago Tribune,
27 June 2025
Noun
-
This public mandate for bold climate action stands in sharp contrast to the political hesitancy now on display.—
Felicia Jackson,
Forbes.com,
21 June 2025
-
While the #MeToo movement has set the stage for French society to listen when survivors of abuse come forward, there is still some hesitancy within families to accept what happened at Bétharram.—
Colette Davidson,
Christian Science Monitor,
13 May 2025
Noun
-
But phone calls, spam and constant interruptions get in the way.—
Minna Hu,
Forbes.com,
2 July 2025
-
Actual net worth can vary significantly due to factors such as debt levels, regional cost of living, career interruptions, investment returns and household dynamics.—
Daniel Orton,
MSNBC Newsweek,
29 June 2025
Noun
-
Several major automakers are investing billions of dollars into American EV production despite the U.S. hesitance to adopt EVs.—
Charles Singh,
The Tennessean,
2 July 2025
-
Despite hesitance from some Republican senators, all of Trump’s nominees who have come for a vote on the floor have been confirmed, even his most contentious picks.—
Elizabeth Crisp,
The Hill,
29 Apr. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Pause.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/pause. Accessed 10 Jul. 2025.
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