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
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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
Joe Brandt, CBS News, 11 Apr. 2026
That’s exactly why one common habit among homeowners gives him pause.
—Jessica Safavimehr, Southern Living, 11 Apr. 2026
Azhar Sukri,kevin Breuninger,terri Cullen, CNBC, 11 Apr. 2026
The true significance of Pakistan's intervention only became clear when both sides agreed to a pause shortly after a down-to-the-wire plea from the country's prime minister, Shehbaz Sharif.
—Betsy Joles, NPR, 11 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for pause
Verb
In a press conference Saturday night, the city's Managing Director Adam Thiel said crews are pausing after a day of dangerous work and will resume demolition Sunday morning.
—Joe Brandt, CBS News, 11 Apr. 2026
That’s exactly why one common habit among homeowners gives him pause.
—Jessica Safavimehr, Southern Living, 11 Apr. 2026
Noun
Israel's insistence that the ceasefire in Iran does not include a pause in its fighting with Hezbollah has threatened to sink the deal.
—Azhar Sukri,kevin Breuninger,terri Cullen, CNBC, 11 Apr. 2026
The true significance of Pakistan's intervention only became clear when both sides agreed to a pause shortly after a down-to-the-wire plea from the country's prime minister, Shehbaz Sharif.
—Betsy Joles, NPR, 11 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for pause
Recent Examples of Synonyms for pause
Verb
-
If a gatekeeper hesitates, breathe and restate your win.—
Tarot.com,
Baltimore Sun,
10 Apr. 2026
-
Peers hesitate to challenge them.—
Marlo Lyons,
Harvard Business Review,
10 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
The lull follows a ceasefire agreement reached Tuesday, when Washington and Tehran agreed to a two-week pause in hostilities in an effort to end the war involving the United States and Israel against Iran, which began February 28.—
Dalia Abdelwahab,
CNN Money,
11 Apr. 2026
-
After Dean Smith led the program to three national championships from 1971 to 1993, the school hit a lull in the early 2000s.—
Rohan Nadkarni,
NBC news,
6 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
First consulted via iPad about Gaby’s (Jessica Williams) hesitation to marry Derek, Paul ultimately flies back to Los Angeles to give Jimmy one final nudge in the direction of moving forward by reconnecting him with Sofi (Cobie Smulders).—
Dessi Gomez,
Deadline,
8 Apr. 2026
-
Some governments have had similar hesitations.—
Tristan Bove,
Fortune,
3 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
The Bruins later broke the mark for the most players drafted from one team when Charlisse Leger-Walker was selected by Connecticut with the third pick in the second round.—
Briauna Brown,
CBS News,
14 Apr. 2026
-
The Toronto Maple Leafs aim to break a six-game skid with a win over the Ottawa Senators.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
14 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
The buyer recently finished the inspections, but Murray isn’t holding his breath.—
Ashley Miznazi,
Miami Herald,
9 Apr. 2026
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And right as the world holds its breath, HMS Dragon has a fault with its fresh water supply.—
Elaine Mallon,
FOXNews.com,
8 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
-
Activists argue that the sudden interruption of the program caused a loss of trust among citizens.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
8 Apr. 2026
-
Lawmakers say the funding ensures the 460,000 public employees, retirees and dependents who access health care through the Group Insurance Commission (GIC) face no interruptions to their coverage.—
Tim Dunn,
Boston Herald,
7 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Shares of McCormick fell 6% in morning trading, while Unilever's stock down 4%, reflecting investors' hesitance about the mega-merger.—
Amelia Lucas,
CNBC,
31 Mar. 2026
-
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
Cite this Entry
“Pause.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/pause. Accessed 15 Apr. 2026.
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