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
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in lulls
a momentary halt in an activity
there was a brief pause for applause in her speech
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of pauses
Amanda Whiting, Vulture, 5 Nov. 2025
There have been reports that some Democrats are growing wary of the effects of the shutdown, namely, pauses in Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program benefits and shortages of air traffic controllers and security agents at airports.
—David Zimmermann, The Washington Examiner, 5 Nov. 2025
Hiring freezes, budget cuts, leadership reshuffles, and sudden project pauses all signal volatility.
—Suzanne Blake, MSNBC Newsweek, 30 Oct. 2025
If federal food assistance pauses at the beginning of November, Michigan's schools are preparing resources to help feed families.
—Lily Altavena, Freep.com, 30 Oct. 2025
Lack of visibility on emerging threats is of particular concern because of surveillance pauses.
—Deidre McPhillips, CNN Money, 22 Oct. 2025
Rental assistance pauses this year Johnston’s administration opted to halt the Temporary Rental and Utility Assistance program for the rest of the year as part of his cost-savings proposals, shifting more money to next year.
—Elliott Wenzler, Denver Post, 18 Oct. 2025
Several times a day, the incessant din of diesel engines pauses while the mats are delicately removed and placed in outsize tubs for washing.
—Charlie Campbell, Time, 15 Oct. 2025
Lupe opens the car door and pauses.
—Angie Martoccio, Rolling Stone, 14 Oct. 2025
Alex Perry, Cincinnati Enquirer, 6 Nov. 2025
This resulted in the disruption of non-essential public services, including pauses in funding and federal employee salaries, the closure of national parks and administrative delays across federal agencies.
—Lauren Giella, MSNBC Newsweek, 29 Oct. 2025
Because the Dolce Vita runs on regular Italian tracks, there are occasional pauses for more mundane events like engine swaps, traffic snarlups and delays.
—Antonia Mortensen, CNN Money, 28 Oct. 2025
Inspiration lives in the little pauses.
—Rolling Stone Culture Council, Rolling Stone, 22 Oct. 2025
Councilmembers Louie Rocha, Wilson, and Freitas believed that any changes to pauses should apply consistently to all boards and commissions, not just the oversight commission.
—Hema Sivanandam, Mercury News, 20 Oct. 2025
Identifying when the clock starts, pauses, or ends is crucial because if the homeowner files a claim for compensation outside the statute of limitations, it can be barred.
—Sponsored Content, Denver Post, 16 Oct. 2025
Dratch also continued to giggle through lines for the rest of the sketch, and her occasional pauses to get her bearings were met with joyous applause from the SNL audience.
—Wesley Stenzel, Entertainment Weekly, 10 Oct. 2025
In the unofficial demo, the humanoid responds to voice commands slowly and takes awkward pauses.
—Kaif Shaikh, Interesting Engineering, 26 Sep. 2025
Verb
Sally pauses her work as Marty holds court, sharing war stories from his decades as a private eye.
—Amanda Whiting, Vulture, 5 Nov. 2025
There have been reports that some Democrats are growing wary of the effects of the shutdown, namely, pauses in Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program benefits and shortages of air traffic controllers and security agents at airports.
—David Zimmermann, The Washington Examiner, 5 Nov. 2025
Hiring freezes, budget cuts, leadership reshuffles, and sudden project pauses all signal volatility.
—Suzanne Blake, MSNBC Newsweek, 30 Oct. 2025
If federal food assistance pauses at the beginning of November, Michigan's schools are preparing resources to help feed families.
—Lily Altavena, Freep.com, 30 Oct. 2025
Lack of visibility on emerging threats is of particular concern because of surveillance pauses.
—Deidre McPhillips, CNN Money, 22 Oct. 2025
Rental assistance pauses this year Johnston’s administration opted to halt the Temporary Rental and Utility Assistance program for the rest of the year as part of his cost-savings proposals, shifting more money to next year.
—Elliott Wenzler, Denver Post, 18 Oct. 2025
Several times a day, the incessant din of diesel engines pauses while the mats are delicately removed and placed in outsize tubs for washing.
—Charlie Campbell, Time, 15 Oct. 2025
Lupe opens the car door and pauses.
—Angie Martoccio, Rolling Stone, 14 Oct. 2025
Noun
Spearheaded by The People's Union USA, these spending pauses have lasted anywhere from 24 hours to one week.
—Alex Perry, Cincinnati Enquirer, 6 Nov. 2025
This resulted in the disruption of non-essential public services, including pauses in funding and federal employee salaries, the closure of national parks and administrative delays across federal agencies.
—Lauren Giella, MSNBC Newsweek, 29 Oct. 2025
Because the Dolce Vita runs on regular Italian tracks, there are occasional pauses for more mundane events like engine swaps, traffic snarlups and delays.
—Antonia Mortensen, CNN Money, 28 Oct. 2025
Inspiration lives in the little pauses.
—Rolling Stone Culture Council, Rolling Stone, 22 Oct. 2025
Councilmembers Louie Rocha, Wilson, and Freitas believed that any changes to pauses should apply consistently to all boards and commissions, not just the oversight commission.
—Hema Sivanandam, Mercury News, 20 Oct. 2025
Identifying when the clock starts, pauses, or ends is crucial because if the homeowner files a claim for compensation outside the statute of limitations, it can be barred.
—Sponsored Content, Denver Post, 16 Oct. 2025
Dratch also continued to giggle through lines for the rest of the sketch, and her occasional pauses to get her bearings were met with joyous applause from the SNL audience.
—Wesley Stenzel, Entertainment Weekly, 10 Oct. 2025
In the unofficial demo, the humanoid responds to voice commands slowly and takes awkward pauses.
—Kaif Shaikh, Interesting Engineering, 26 Sep. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for pauses
Verb
-
In the final scene, Lee hesitates for a moment before letting Stella choose.—
Hunter Ingram,
Variety,
22 Oct. 2025
-
If the alliance hesitates, Putin will see weakness and press harder.—
David A. Deptula,
Forbes.com,
10 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
That led to a couple of scoring lulls, especially in the first half.—
Shreyas Laddha,
Kansas City Star,
25 Oct. 2025
-
For instance, why did the offense experience so many extended lulls against opposing bullpens (even as, in another contradiction, its overall performance against bullpens was in line with 2024)?—
Will Sammon,
New York Times,
9 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
As Peter takes his final breaths, the limited series jumps back in time to show Marissa secretly removing the emergency kit from their car and pulling an expired EpiPen out of their home's disposal box.—
Emily Blackwood,
PEOPLE,
8 Nov. 2025
-
Hold for five breaths on each foot.—
Dana Santas,
CNN Money,
6 Nov. 2025
Noun
-
The sudden sting, the constant urge to run to the bathroom and the interruptions to work or intimacy can feel both embarrassing and unsettling.—
Daryl Austin,
USA Today,
7 Nov. 2025
-
On Wednesday, Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy said airline traffic will be reduced by 10% across 40 locations starting Friday amid staffing interruptions.—
Juliana Kim,
NPR,
6 Nov. 2025
Noun
-
Imagine me at lunch or dinner breaks on that movie, sitting between the two of them—Peyton and Bradley—knowing little to nothing about football.—
Clayton Davis,
Variety,
7 Nov. 2025
-
Homecooked meals with Lido’s parents and dips into the nearby fjord filled the gaps during recording breaks.—
Michael Saponara,
Billboard,
7 Nov. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Pauses.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/pauses. Accessed 17 Nov. 2025.
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