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
Michelle Del Rey, USA Today, 5 Aug. 2025
On Friday, a federal judge paused the Trump administration’s efforts to fast-track the deportation of people who legally entered the country through humanitarian parole programs, including the now-defunct CBP One appointment process.
—Alexandra Mendoza, San Diego Union-Tribune, 5 Aug. 2025
New York Daily News, Twin Cities, 19 Aug. 2025
Uncertainty over tariffs on exports to the United States is still looming over the world’s second-largest economy after President Donald Trump last week extended a pause in sharp hikes in import duties for 90 days, following a 90-day pause that began in May.
—Boston Herald Wire Services, Boston Herald, 17 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for pause
Verb
In May, federal officials recommended pausing a vaccine in the United States after reports of serious adverse events.
—Michelle Del Rey, USA Today, 5 Aug. 2025
On Friday, a federal judge paused the Trump administration’s efforts to fast-track the deportation of people who legally entered the country through humanitarian parole programs, including the now-defunct CBP One appointment process.
—Alexandra Mendoza, San Diego Union-Tribune, 5 Aug. 2025
Noun
There are quite simply no two ways about it, and any pause in the research could have dire consequences, even if it is reversed later.
—New York Daily News, Twin Cities, 19 Aug. 2025
Uncertainty over tariffs on exports to the United States is still looming over the world’s second-largest economy after President Donald Trump last week extended a pause in sharp hikes in import duties for 90 days, following a 90-day pause that began in May.
—Boston Herald Wire Services, Boston Herald, 17 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for pause
Recent Examples of Synonyms for pause
Verb
-
Utilize available accessibility services and don't hesitate to request assistance when needed.—
Zach Wichter,
USA Today,
13 Aug. 2025
-
Thanks to a couple who didn't hesitate to help, a small, injured stray cat now has a second chance at life and a forever home—even if down a limb.—
Maria Morava,
MSNBC Newsweek,
12 Aug. 2025
Noun
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It’s already been four years since the last James Bond movie, Daniel Craig’s Bond swan song, No Time to Die, was released in theaters, and, in that lull, there’s still no new actor cast as James Bond.—
Jason P. Frank,
Vulture,
1 Aug. 2025
-
His teammates have tapered off into a midsummer lull, though.—
Steven Louis Goldstein,
New York Times,
30 July 2025
Noun
-
But with the integration of AI comes hesitation and fears of job loss, privacy breaches and misinformation.—
Lauren Giella,
MSNBC Newsweek,
14 Aug. 2025
-
Putin, Kuleba said, only needs one day of hesitation at NATO and European Union headquarters in Brussels to press an attack.—
David Brennan,
ABC News,
13 Aug. 2025
Verb
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Earlier this month, more than 50 women broke into spontaneous applause and cheers when Frierson unexpectedly walked into their meeting.—
Brad Schmitt,
The Tennessean,
21 Aug. 2025
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Jillian Michaels has loudly broken her silence on a contentious new docuseries on Netflix, which makes claims about the former The Biggest Loser cohost in a variety of its more unsavory scandals.—
Ryan Coleman Published,
EW.com,
20 Aug. 2025
Noun
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Born from the founder’s personal battle with eczema, the brand is a breath of fresh air in a world full of irritating, complicated formulas.—
Allure,
Allure,
14 Aug. 2025
-
The solution is simple: Take three deep breaths plus a 30-second body scan before every team interaction.—
Sahar Andrade,
Forbes.com,
14 Aug. 2025
Noun
-
But new listings were down also, a sign of seller hesitancy and the end of the peak summer selling season.—
Aldo Svaldi,
Denver Post,
5 Aug. 2025
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The hesitancy from his end will probably come from a lack of playing time.—
Tom Rende,
Forbes.com,
11 July 2025
Noun
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The goal is to provide comfort fare but without commercial interruption and without busting budgets.—
Dade Hayes,
Deadline,
5 Aug. 2025
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While those strikes forced temporary shutdowns at several facilities, most Russian plants eventually resumed operations after brief interruptions.—
Katya Soldak,
Forbes.com,
5 Aug. 2025
Noun
-
This hesitance is due to a shortage of anesthesiologists in some areas, unregulated costs of the procedure, and lingering misconceptions about possible side effects, according to experts cited by China Daily.—
Micah McCartney,
MSNBC Newsweek,
10 June 2025
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Since many experts predict a recession in the near future, this only stokes the fear of loss further when the hesitance is high to begin with.—
Tim Koller,
Time,
20 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Pause.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/pause. Accessed 23 Aug. 2025.
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