Synonyms of pauses

pauses 1 of 2

verb

present tense third-person singular of pause

as in hesitates

to come to a temporary halt in one's activity

he paused for a moment to regain his composure

Synonyms & Similar Words

• hesitates
• breaks
• interrupts
• stops
• finishes
• catches one's breath
• holds one's horses
• ceases
• ends
• terminates
• breaks in
• lapses
• discontinues
• lays off
• quits
• knocks off
• lets up

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• continues
• persists
• advances
• progresses
• extends
• stretches
• prolongs

pauses

2 of 2

noun

plural of pause

as in lulls

a momentary halt in an activity

there was a brief pause for applause in her speech

Synonyms & Similar Words

• lulls
• breaths
• interruptions
• breaks
• recesses
• intervals
• rests
• breathers
• intermissions
• interludes
• respites
• stoppages
• gaps
• suspensions
• lapses
• hitches
• time-outs
• cessations
• hiatuses
• downtimes
• endings
• interims
• discontinuances
• terminations
• discontinuities
• expirations
• moratoriums
• abeyances
• surceases

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• progresses
• continuations
• progressions
• extensions
• prolongations
• endurances
• persistences

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of pauses

Verb

But when her big bro Sherlock (Henry Cavill) goes missing during the festivities, Enola pauses getting hitched to find him and also unearth a military cover-up. — Brian Truitt, USA Today, 10 July 2026

Just like waiting for the release of the bulls, the train pauses over the edge for three seconds before a dizzying 95-degree, 285-foot drop — the highest beyond vertical drop in the world. — Colson Thayer, PEOPLE, 9 July 2026

Marylanders should demand a pragmatic energy policy that prioritizes energy supply, pauses premature plant retirements and fast-tracks reliable generation. — Torrey Snow, Baltimore Sun, 8 July 2026

The next day, Pope Leo pauses at the pier where most migrants first set foot on Italian soil. — Mark Sappenfield, Christian Science Monitor, 6 July 2026

By default, the right earbud plays or pauses audio with a double-tap, and a long-press toggles between noise cancellation and transparency mode. — Christian De Looper, PC Magazine, 6 July 2026

These pauses in data center permitting and construction give communities time to consider how to define new laws and regulations about the facilities’ location, electricity use, water conservation and noise buffering. — Rachel Mural, Fortune, 21 June 2026

Setting the factory ablaze and escaping, Naim pauses for a minute when the Ryan-like monster appears at a window, begging to be released and claiming to be the human-being. — Arushi Jacob, Variety, 19 June 2026

The 14-point memorandum of understanding is a preliminary agreement that reopens the Strait of Hormuz and pauses fighting, while setting up at least 60 days of negotiations over Iran’s nuclear program. — Rena Rowe, The Washington Examiner, 19 June 2026

Noun

Considering the outsize roll these pathogens play in driving severe respiratory illnesses, such as pneumonia, these pauses are alarming. — John Kubale, The Conversation, 8 July 2026

Packages flow directly from dock doors into scanning, identification and stacking—with no pauses, no handoffs and no redesigns. — Arthur Zaczkiewicz, Footwear News, 6 July 2026

Instead, Peltier likes to think of it as adding intentional pauses into the rhythm of a home. — Maria Sabella, Better Homes & Gardens, 4 July 2026

The itinerary also builds in natural pauses, from ferries and viewpoints to kayaking, biking, hiking and fjord activities. — Emese MacZko, Forbes.com, 1 July 2026

His health problems resembled a fall down a long flight of stairs, with pauses at several landings. — Ian Frazier, New Yorker, 29 June 2026

In the days to come, those pauses may become an essential safeguard. — Amelie Claydon, New York Times, 29 June 2026

Some card descriptions are a bit wordy, forcing pauses to reread during your first attempts. — Jason Bennett, Arkansas Online, 28 June 2026

During production pauses, Xiaomo can switch to inspection duties, further improving manufacturing efficiency, quality control, and operational reliability. — Jijo Malayil, Interesting Engineering, 25 June 2026