as in cessations
the stopping of a process or activity
yet another stoppage in play for some unexplained reason
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Recent Examples of stoppages
There's no official start time, and the time Bad Bunny takes the stage depends on clock stoppages, penalties, timeouts and injuries during the first half of the game.
—
Edward Segarra, USA Today, 8 Feb. 2026
While there’s no official start time, the time Bad Bunny takes the stage will depend on clock stoppages, penalties, timeouts and injuries during the game itself.
—Alex Perry, Cincinnati Enquirer, 5 Feb. 2026
The first bill, called the AV Safety Data Act, would require NHTSA to mandate AV vehicle data such as miles traveled, injuries involving human drivers, pedestrians and bicyclists and unplanned stoppages.
—Kathryn Watson, CBS News, 4 Feb. 2026
After a fast-paced, high-scoring first half, the second half slowed considerably and featured frequent stoppages.
—Jayden Gonzalez, Miami Herald, 1 Feb. 2026
And as potent a weapon as corners and free kicks undoubtedly are for Arsenal, all those stoppages are not conducive to the type of high-energy football that teams chasing a goal — and teams chasing a league title — usually favour.
—Oliver Kay, New York Times, 30 Jan. 2026
The stoppages helped the Mavericks gain momentum, leading to a 11-0 run over the next two minutes to help Dallas pull away.
—Joseph Dycus, Mercury News, 23 Jan. 2026
The negotiations will be the first since the writers and actors strikes of 2023, and will likely revisit the concerns that animated those stoppages, such as AI and residuals on streaming platforms.
—Gene Maddaus, Variety, 9 Jan. 2026
Campbell’s latter point is a big contributing factor to elevator stoppages at the Austin airport, according to Hey.
—Alex Driggars, Austin American Statesman, 23 Dec. 2025
Edward Segarra, USA Today, 8 Feb. 2026
While there’s no official start time, the time Bad Bunny takes the stage will depend on clock stoppages, penalties, timeouts and injuries during the game itself.
—Alex Perry, Cincinnati Enquirer, 5 Feb. 2026
The first bill, called the AV Safety Data Act, would require NHTSA to mandate AV vehicle data such as miles traveled, injuries involving human drivers, pedestrians and bicyclists and unplanned stoppages.
—Kathryn Watson, CBS News, 4 Feb. 2026
After a fast-paced, high-scoring first half, the second half slowed considerably and featured frequent stoppages.
—Jayden Gonzalez, Miami Herald, 1 Feb. 2026
And as potent a weapon as corners and free kicks undoubtedly are for Arsenal, all those stoppages are not conducive to the type of high-energy football that teams chasing a goal — and teams chasing a league title — usually favour.
—Oliver Kay, New York Times, 30 Jan. 2026
The stoppages helped the Mavericks gain momentum, leading to a 11-0 run over the next two minutes to help Dallas pull away.
—Joseph Dycus, Mercury News, 23 Jan. 2026
The negotiations will be the first since the writers and actors strikes of 2023, and will likely revisit the concerns that animated those stoppages, such as AI and residuals on streaming platforms.
—Gene Maddaus, Variety, 9 Jan. 2026
Campbell’s latter point is a big contributing factor to elevator stoppages at the Austin airport, according to Hey.
—Alex Driggars, Austin American Statesman, 23 Dec. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for stoppages
Noun
-
Temporary cessations of hostility, but no permanent closing of the moral and social divide between debtor and creditor, and no giving up on the thought that some lives matter more than others.—
Henry Freedland,
Harpers Magazine,
24 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
The abrupt disruption resulted in chip shortages and production halts at several automakers.—
Sarah Jacob,
Bloomberg,
14 Jan. 2026
-
Conflict in Yemen has prompted air traffic halts — leaving about 600 tourists stranded on a remote island.—
Ashley J. DiMella,
FOXNews.com,
6 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
Whereas a total solar eclipse is often associated with clean breaks or definitive endings, an annular eclipse often points to processes that unfold in stages.—
Christina Pérez,
Vogue,
16 Feb. 2026
-
Astronomers are used to dramatic endings.—
Rupendra Brahambhatt,
Interesting Engineering,
15 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Unlike in past lengthy shutdowns, air traffic controllers — a group that has played a role in ending past lapses — are funded.—
Al Weaver,
The Hill,
17 Feb. 2026
-
Internet shutdowns, mass arrests, intimidation through mourning and fear have crushed public mobilization — while negotiations with powerful states restore the regime’s standing on the global stage.—
Pegah Banihashemi,
Chicago Tribune,
15 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
There also are no school closures in the current budget plan despite an enrollment decline from nearly 500,000 in 2018-19, just before the COVID-19 pandemic, to about 390,000 this year.—
Howard Blume,
Los Angeles Times,
18 Feb. 2026
-
Major highways — including long stretches of I‑80 — have also been closed, with widespread chain controls, flight cancellations, and school closures across parts of the Sierra and western Nevada.—
James Ward,
USA Today,
18 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Stoppages.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/stoppages. Accessed 19 Feb. 2026.
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