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

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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

The talks appear to have been paused this week as Iran has held massive funeral events for former Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who was killed in the opening salvo of the war. — Garrett Haake, NBC news, 7 July 2026 Ferguson said that the regional systems the NGA built have continued to work effectively since 2024, despite Cal OES pausing implementation in favor of the statewide approach. — William Melhado july 7, Sacbee.com, 7 July 2026

Noun

The letter did not explain the pause, but suggested it may have been intended to preserve evidence. — Jasmine Mendez follow, Los Angeles Times, 4 July 2026 Traders are now keenly awaiting July's CPI data, with falling oil prices potentially easing inflation and encouraging a Fed pause. — Billy Bambrough, Forbes.com, 4 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for pause

Recent Examples of Synonyms for pause

Verb

And women who suspect their period pain is more severe than normal should not hesitate to speak with a health care provider, especially if symptoms are affecting their quality of life.

— Daryl Austin, USA Today, 7 July 2026
In the second half, Freese stepped off his line to control a ball, hesitated, stubbed his foot against the ground, and lost the ball.

— Louisa Thomas, New Yorker, 7 July 2026

Definition of hesitate

Noun

Parties have exploited lulls in fighting to buy time, rebuild capabilities and consolidate political or territorial gains ahead of the next round of conflict.

— Anthony Wanis-St John, The Conversation, 10 July 2026
Oceanfront has long been treated as the aristocrat of waterfront living, prized for its horizon lines, lull of the tide and powerful symbolism of standing where land gives way.

— Spencer Elliott, Forbes.com, 10 July 2026

Definition of lull

Verb

Vibes were good among volunteers and visitors from around the world and every corner of the United States — and among stadium staffers, who won raises in a late-breaking contract agreement that resulted in increases to more than $30 per hour.

— Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 11 July 2026
Even in games when England have struggled, those two have delivered, Bellingham breaking the deadlock against Panama, Kane single-handedly turning the game against DR Congo in the last 32.

— Jack Pitt-Brooke, New York Times, 11 July 2026

Definition of break

Noun

Sidewalk safety, a tale of two cities There is no such hesitancy with cities collecting roadway data.

— Wes Marshall, The Conversation, 2 July 2026
The Iranian regime’s apparent hesitancy to resume in-person talks is a significant step back from the high-level talks that took place in Switzerland earlier this month following the signing of a memorandum of understanding between the countries.

— Shannon K. Kingston, ABC News, 30 June 2026

Definition of hesitancy

Noun

Research at the University of California, Irvine in 2008 found that returning to full focus after an interruption can take an average of 23 minutes.

— Faustino Júnior, Forbes.com, 7 July 2026
In February 2025, Musk admitted DOGE accidentally ended—and then quickly restored—funding for Ebola prevention, saying there was no interruption to programming.

— Sasha Rogelberg, Fortune, 6 July 2026

Definition of interruption

Noun

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
That hesitance in the Republican Party coexists with palpable relief that there’s a ceasefire agreement in the Middle East after months of strikes on Iran.

— Burgess Everett, semafor.com, 15 June 2026

Definition of hesitance

Browse Nearby Words

paupers

pause

paused

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Style

“Pause.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/pause. Accessed 11 Jul. 2026.

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Synonyms of pause

verb

noun

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