as in hesitated
to come to a temporary halt in one's activity
he paused for a moment to regain his composure
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Recent Examples of paused
The AfD was classified as a right-wing extremist organization by Germany's spy agency in May, but the description has been paused because of an appeal pending in court.
—
Jordan King, MSNBC Newsweek, 3 Sep. 2025
While some borrowers may be opting to keep their payments paused, others who want to get out of the SAVE forbearance are struggling to do so, Kantrowitz said.
—Annie Nova, CNBC, 3 Sep. 2025
Idris and his wife paused to share a kiss at the event, with the action star wearing a suave dark gray suit and matching black shoes.
—Tommy McArdle, People.com, 2 Sep. 2025
Told of their recollections, Cadrez paused.
—Troy Renck, Denver Post, 1 Sep. 2025
In an unsigned order, the Court paused a ruling by a federal judge in Massachusetts that required the federal government to continue making the payments.
—Michael T. Nietzel, Forbes.com, 1 Sep. 2025
The administration paused the project last month, citing national security concerns.
—Brittney Melton, NPR, 1 Sep. 2025
If conditions are hazardous, such as during high winds or extreme drought, the issuance of burn permits is temporarily paused and resumed once conditions improve.
—Diana Leyva, Nashville Tennessean, 29 Aug. 2025
In the middle of a recent media briefing, while running through injury updates and practice plans, Illinois football coach Bret Bielema paused to offer thanks to students.
—Chicago Tribune, 28 Aug. 2025
Jordan King, MSNBC Newsweek, 3 Sep. 2025
While some borrowers may be opting to keep their payments paused, others who want to get out of the SAVE forbearance are struggling to do so, Kantrowitz said.
—Annie Nova, CNBC, 3 Sep. 2025
Idris and his wife paused to share a kiss at the event, with the action star wearing a suave dark gray suit and matching black shoes.
—Tommy McArdle, People.com, 2 Sep. 2025
Told of their recollections, Cadrez paused.
—Troy Renck, Denver Post, 1 Sep. 2025
In an unsigned order, the Court paused a ruling by a federal judge in Massachusetts that required the federal government to continue making the payments.
—Michael T. Nietzel, Forbes.com, 1 Sep. 2025
The administration paused the project last month, citing national security concerns.
—Brittney Melton, NPR, 1 Sep. 2025
If conditions are hazardous, such as during high winds or extreme drought, the issuance of burn permits is temporarily paused and resumed once conditions improve.
—Diana Leyva, Nashville Tennessean, 29 Aug. 2025
In the middle of a recent media briefing, while running through injury updates and practice plans, Illinois football coach Bret Bielema paused to offer thanks to students.
—Chicago Tribune, 28 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for paused
hesitated
Verb
-
In a season when other businesses hesitated, Stacie expanded.—
Daniel Fusch,
USA Today,
28 Aug. 2025
-
Many healthcare organizations hesitated to embrace cloud-first systems due to security concerns, regulatory uncertainty or sheer inertia.—
Dave Wessinger,
Forbes.com,
18 Aug. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Paused.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/paused. Accessed 9 Sep. 2025.
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