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
Relevance
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
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 pauses
Kamala Thiagarajan, NPR, 8 Mar. 2026
Transferring your balance to a card that temporarily pauses interest allows more of your payment to go toward the principal instead of financing charges.
—Andreina Rodriguez, CNBC, 5 Mar. 2026
That same month, a federal judge issued a preliminary injunction that temporarily pauses HUD’s efforts to shift funding away from permanent supportive housing.
—Deyanira Nevárez Martínez, The Conversation, 4 Mar. 2026
Gusty winds carry pollen far and wide, while a late-season frost pauses tree growth and temporarily slows pollen production.
—Jessica Safavimehr, Southern Living, 4 Mar. 2026
Rather than letting the gags flit by quickly, the cast pauses endlessly after each utterance to milk the laughs.
—Christopher Arnott, Hartford Courant, 27 Feb. 2026
Berries Nighttime pauses in breathing caused by OSA can reduce oxygen levels.
—Lindsay Curtis, Health, 27 Feb. 2026
Beneath the hum of fluorescent lights, Juvenile pauses mid-negotiation, flips his camera, and offers a grin that feels equal parts fatherly pride and rap-legend cool.
—Preezy Brown, VIBE.com, 24 Feb. 2026
Until then, the court issued an injunction that pauses the state law from taking effect.
—Sonja Sharp, Los Angeles Times, 20 Feb. 2026
Carrie Madormo, Verywell Health, 16 Mar. 2026
Over time, such pauses can cause corrosion and structural damage that needs to be repaired before operations can fully resume.
—Tristan Bove, Fortune, 13 Mar. 2026
She’s grown past her playful, unfocused answers at news conferences into efficient quips and timely pauses to give space for reaction.
—Marcus Thompson Ii, New York Times, 11 Mar. 2026
When investment pauses, jobs and competitiveness are put at risk all across our communities.
—Steve Sadin, Chicago Tribune, 9 Mar. 2026
The gravity of the moment seemed to touch Bad Bunny, who spent multiple pauses soaking in the crowd, the evening, and the accomplishments that allowed twenty-nine of his songs to notch over a billion streams on the streaming service.
—Waiss Aramesh, Rolling Stone, 7 Mar. 2026
Take micro-pauses before answering someone Strong leaders don't feel the need to fill every moment with noise.
—Kathy and Ross Petrass, CNBC, 4 Mar. 2026
The current wave of pauses in fashion isn’t a sign that the industry is crumbling.
—Essence, 3 Mar. 2026
And at one point Stephanie pauses, carefully choosing words.
—Gerald Witt, AJC.com, 1 Mar. 2026
Verb
True to the spirit of those Russian women, the world pauses on this day to celebrate the achievements of women.
—Kamala Thiagarajan, NPR, 8 Mar. 2026
Transferring your balance to a card that temporarily pauses interest allows more of your payment to go toward the principal instead of financing charges.
—Andreina Rodriguez, CNBC, 5 Mar. 2026
That same month, a federal judge issued a preliminary injunction that temporarily pauses HUD’s efforts to shift funding away from permanent supportive housing.
—Deyanira Nevárez Martínez, The Conversation, 4 Mar. 2026
Gusty winds carry pollen far and wide, while a late-season frost pauses tree growth and temporarily slows pollen production.
—Jessica Safavimehr, Southern Living, 4 Mar. 2026
Rather than letting the gags flit by quickly, the cast pauses endlessly after each utterance to milk the laughs.
—Christopher Arnott, Hartford Courant, 27 Feb. 2026
Berries Nighttime pauses in breathing caused by OSA can reduce oxygen levels.
—Lindsay Curtis, Health, 27 Feb. 2026
Beneath the hum of fluorescent lights, Juvenile pauses mid-negotiation, flips his camera, and offers a grin that feels equal parts fatherly pride and rap-legend cool.
—Preezy Brown, VIBE.com, 24 Feb. 2026
Until then, the court issued an injunction that pauses the state law from taking effect.
—Sonja Sharp, Los Angeles Times, 20 Feb. 2026
Noun
This prevents the blockages that cause breathing pauses.
—Carrie Madormo, Verywell Health, 16 Mar. 2026
Over time, such pauses can cause corrosion and structural damage that needs to be repaired before operations can fully resume.
—Tristan Bove, Fortune, 13 Mar. 2026
She’s grown past her playful, unfocused answers at news conferences into efficient quips and timely pauses to give space for reaction.
—Marcus Thompson Ii, New York Times, 11 Mar. 2026
When investment pauses, jobs and competitiveness are put at risk all across our communities.
—Steve Sadin, Chicago Tribune, 9 Mar. 2026
The gravity of the moment seemed to touch Bad Bunny, who spent multiple pauses soaking in the crowd, the evening, and the accomplishments that allowed twenty-nine of his songs to notch over a billion streams on the streaming service.
—Waiss Aramesh, Rolling Stone, 7 Mar. 2026
Take micro-pauses before answering someone Strong leaders don't feel the need to fill every moment with noise.
—Kathy and Ross Petrass, CNBC, 4 Mar. 2026
The current wave of pauses in fashion isn’t a sign that the industry is crumbling.
—Essence, 3 Mar. 2026
And at one point Stephanie pauses, carefully choosing words.
—Gerald Witt, AJC.com, 1 Mar. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for pauses
Verb
-
Though Pollan hesitates to claim that a fundamental aspect of human capability and human experience remains beyond science’s reach, A World Appears closely maps out such a territory.—
The Week US,
TheWeek,
11 Mar. 2026
-
If a planner hesitates or hedges on this question, consider that a red flag.—
Lauren Schuster,
Miami Herald,
26 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
In addition to listing tasks and meetings, add goals to a daily schedule, which can keep remote workers motivated to continue working during lulls in the workday.—
Metro Creative Services,
Boston Herald,
9 Mar. 2026
-
And not have lulls at this point.—
Kristian Winfield,
Hartford Courant,
1 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
The company says its 5 kPa output is enough to get an air mattress to properly firm up without the need for manual breaths – even with a person lying on it.—
New Atlas,
New Atlas,
13 Mar. 2026
-
But Vanek also has people round their back into turtle pose, using humming breaths to connect with vibration-sensing creatures, and using the outstretched arms of some poses to greet new snake visitors.—
Deena Prichep,
NPR,
11 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Iran has reasons to limit the trade interruptions.—
Kevin Williams,
CNBC,
11 Mar. 2026
-
Brent, the global benchmark, may climb further in the days ahead after the United Arab Emirates and Kuwait started reducing oil production amid a near-closure of the vital Strait of Hormuz waterway, adding to interruptions affecting worldwide energy supply and exports.—
Christine Burke,
Bloomberg,
8 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
At the time, prosecutors said the two guards shopped online, took breaks, and napped instead of checking Epstein’s cell every 30 minutes as required.—
Emily Hallas,
The Washington Examiner,
14 Mar. 2026
-
Ultrawealthy buyers are now securing spots on private waitlists months—or even years—before a home breaks ground.—
Sydney Lake,
Fortune,
14 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Pauses.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/pauses. Accessed 19 Mar. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
