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
Bailey Richards, PEOPLE, 3 Feb. 2026
After that comes a lengthy break as the NHL pauses for the Olympics.
—Aaron Portzline, New York Times, 1 Feb. 2026
But due to a combination of legal battles, policy decisions, and administrative challenges, there are now three major student loan pauses in effect, impacting millions of borrowers.
—Adam S. Minsky, Forbes.com, 29 Jan. 2026
Plan pauses, since pacing keeps your fire bright.
—Tarot.com, Sun Sentinel, 24 Jan. 2026
George Lomax, who pauses to give himself a pep talk in the middle of his absurd proposal to Bundle.
—Sophie Brookover, Vulture, 15 Jan. 2026
Kim pauses, considering her question.
—Sadia Shepard, New Yorker, 11 Jan. 2026
Burnett pauses, considers the question, and then flashes a mischievous grin.
—Dalton Ross, Entertainment Weekly, 7 Jan. 2026
As the frame widens, the pacing slows, and the Shakers’ movement pauses, what Fastvold captures is how, out of the expanse of America, the Shakers start to find structure.
—Chris O'Falt, IndieWire, 7 Jan. 2026
Dale Denwalt, Oklahoman, 1 Feb. 2026
The president works in the first lady’s suggestion, and pauses, turns and points to her after delivering the line during his speech.
—Cnn.com Wire Service, Mercury News, 31 Jan. 2026
Some of the pauses on student loans may offer borrowers temporary relief, while others are simply injecting even more uncertainty into an already tumultuous landscape.
—Adam S. Minsky, Forbes.com, 29 Jan. 2026
It was not specified how long the pauses would last.
—Alexx Altman-Devilbiss, Baltimore Sun, 23 Jan. 2026
Filming pauses as players drink water, apply sunscreen, and rush out for a quick bathroom break.
—David Canfield, Vanity Fair, 20 Jan. 2026
The most eruptive episodes have lasted less than 12 hours — and they're separated by pauses that can last days or weeks.
—Kelly McGreal, FOXNews.com, 16 Jan. 2026
Taking intentional pauses is key, too.
—Helen Carefoot, Flow Space, 8 Jan. 2026
The pauses are just as much dialogue as the words.
—Beatrice Verhoeven, HollywoodReporter, 6 Jan. 2026
Verb
The pair also bicker a bit as Aniston pauses mid-styling session to tame her own ‘do.
—Bailey Richards, PEOPLE, 3 Feb. 2026
After that comes a lengthy break as the NHL pauses for the Olympics.
—Aaron Portzline, New York Times, 1 Feb. 2026
But due to a combination of legal battles, policy decisions, and administrative challenges, there are now three major student loan pauses in effect, impacting millions of borrowers.
—Adam S. Minsky, Forbes.com, 29 Jan. 2026
Plan pauses, since pacing keeps your fire bright.
—Tarot.com, Sun Sentinel, 24 Jan. 2026
George Lomax, who pauses to give himself a pep talk in the middle of his absurd proposal to Bundle.
—Sophie Brookover, Vulture, 15 Jan. 2026
Kim pauses, considering her question.
—Sadia Shepard, New Yorker, 11 Jan. 2026
Burnett pauses, considers the question, and then flashes a mischievous grin.
—Dalton Ross, Entertainment Weekly, 7 Jan. 2026
As the frame widens, the pacing slows, and the Shakers’ movement pauses, what Fastvold captures is how, out of the expanse of America, the Shakers start to find structure.
—Chris O'Falt, IndieWire, 7 Jan. 2026
Noun
Funding was eventually restored after a series of lawsuits that challenged payment pauses, eligibility requirements and requests from the federal government for sensitive citizen data.
—Dale Denwalt, Oklahoman, 1 Feb. 2026
The president works in the first lady’s suggestion, and pauses, turns and points to her after delivering the line during his speech.
—Cnn.com Wire Service, Mercury News, 31 Jan. 2026
Some of the pauses on student loans may offer borrowers temporary relief, while others are simply injecting even more uncertainty into an already tumultuous landscape.
—Adam S. Minsky, Forbes.com, 29 Jan. 2026
It was not specified how long the pauses would last.
—Alexx Altman-Devilbiss, Baltimore Sun, 23 Jan. 2026
Filming pauses as players drink water, apply sunscreen, and rush out for a quick bathroom break.
—David Canfield, Vanity Fair, 20 Jan. 2026
The most eruptive episodes have lasted less than 12 hours — and they're separated by pauses that can last days or weeks.
—Kelly McGreal, FOXNews.com, 16 Jan. 2026
Taking intentional pauses is key, too.
—Helen Carefoot, Flow Space, 8 Jan. 2026
The pauses are just as much dialogue as the words.
—Beatrice Verhoeven, HollywoodReporter, 6 Jan. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for pauses
Verb
-
If someone hesitates, give them time to respond, because shared goals deserve space for honest input.—
Tarot.com,
Baltimore Sun,
21 Jan. 2026
-
Poppy initially hesitates but ends up apologizing to Sarah, admitting that her deep connection with Alex had gotten in the way of her relationship.—
Allison DeGrushe,
Entertainment Weekly,
12 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
Every squad is going to go through lulls in the conference schedule, other than perhaps UCLA.—
Sabreena Merchant,
New York Times,
16 Jan. 2026
-
The offense suffered some lulls in his absence, but second-year wide receiver Ryan Flournoy was able to pick up the production vacated by Lamb in the second half by finishing with 115 yards and one touchdown on nine receptions.—
Nick Harris,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
5 Dec. 2025
Noun
-
Similarly, the heart rate of a hibernating groundhog slows from about 80 beats per minute to just five, while breathing slows from around 16 breaths per minute to as few as two, according to the National Wildlife Federation.—
Kate Perez,
USA Today,
1 Feb. 2026
-
Take six total breaths, allowing the lower ribs to expand outward with each inhale and gently draw inward with each exhale.—
Dana Santas,
CNN Money,
30 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
Officials do not expect interruptions in water service during the work on the Gest Street water main.—
Patricia Gallagher Newberry,
Cincinnati Enquirer,
30 Jan. 2026
-
Google says the new setup is meant to reduce tab overload and interruptions.—
Neetika Walter,
Interesting Engineering,
29 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
Two years later came a series of fortunate breaks.—
Sebastian Stafford-Bloor,
New York Times,
31 Jan. 2026
-
The Yum Brands restaurant chain is not expected to appear in ad breaks during pre-game programming on NBC, according to two people familiar with the matter.—
Brian Steinberg,
Variety,
30 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Pauses.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/pauses. Accessed 6 Feb. 2026.
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