as in to hesitate
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
1
as in lull
a momentary halt in an activity
there was a brief pause for applause in her speech
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in hesitation
a state or an instance of temporary inaction because of uncertainty about the right course of action
the question caught the professor off guard, and there was a pause before he responded
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
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Recent Examples of pause
Nellie Andreeva, Deadline, 28 May 2025
Out of the box, a single tap on either bud plays or pauses audio.
—PC Magazine, 27 May 2025
Téa Kvetenadze, New York Daily News, 27 May 2025
The term was coined by Robert Armstrong, a writer for the Financial Times, and is intended to capture how markets have fallen on Trump’s vow to impose steep tariffs on imports to the United States and then jump back up when Trump announces pauses on those tariffs.
—Ian Swanson, The Hill, 27 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for pause
Verb
Three weeks after Skydance paused new spending on a series starring and executive produced by Jeremy Strong and written and executive produced by Tobias Lindholm and Frank Pugliese, the high-profile drama has been put on hold, sources tell Deadline.
—Nellie Andreeva, Deadline, 28 May 2025
Out of the box, a single tap on either bud plays or pauses audio.
—PC Magazine, 27 May 2025
Noun
The issue of a rent freeze has gained momentum ahead of next month’s Democratic mayoral primary, with several candidates supporting at least a one-year pause.
—Téa Kvetenadze, New York Daily News, 27 May 2025
The term was coined by Robert Armstrong, a writer for the Financial Times, and is intended to capture how markets have fallen on Trump’s vow to impose steep tariffs on imports to the United States and then jump back up when Trump announces pauses on those tariffs.
—Ian Swanson, The Hill, 27 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for pause
Recent Examples of Synonyms for pause
Verb
-
Marsch didn’t hesitate to call on the 21-year-old to replace Davies in March.—
Joshua Kloke,
New York Times,
21 May 2025
-
When asked to reflect on a moment that stands out from his 5-year tenure (2000-2005), AJ didn’t hesitate.—
Amber Corrine,
VIBE.com,
20 May 2025
Noun
-
Fewer Roles And Longer Recruitment Processes The shift from the hiring highs of 2021 to today’s lull has been sharp.—
Nadia Edwards-Dashti,
Forbes.com,
28 May 2025
-
The shelter then faced a lull, as previous applicants had already adopted other pets in need, and no immediate matches surfaced that could suit Thor.—
Melissa Fleur Afshar,
MSNBC Newsweek,
23 May 2025
Noun
-
That’s where the Oracle of Omaha’s other main hesitation with real estate factors in: Buying property is often a hassle.—
Ryan Ermey,
CNBC,
21 May 2025
-
Lionel says yes, and before more than a few moments go by the two have tumbled into bed, without fear or hesitation.—
Owen Gleiberman,
Variety,
21 May 2025
Verb
-
Ventura Fine testified that Clark was aware Combs had allegedly threatened to release explicit footage of her, while Cudi said Clark was the one who told him Combs had allegedly broken into his Los Angeles home after learning of his relationship with Ventura Fine.—
Anna Kaufman,
USA Today,
28 May 2025
-
Clear communication, the ability to break things down into clear parts, and put them back together are essential.—
Ray Ravaglia,
Forbes.com,
28 May 2025
Noun
-
After Annie shows up on his porch, Jon ushers the nineteen-year-old inside, and the audience sucks in its breath.—
Helen Shaw,
New Yorker,
22 May 2025
-
Who’d have thought everyone would be waiting, breath bated, for the rerelease of an album that came out nine years ago to middling reviews?—
Fran Hoepfner,
Vulture,
22 May 2025
Noun
-
The gaming industry has been hit hard in recent years with layoffs, delayed funding and investor hesitancy.—
Chris Hewish,
Forbes.com,
29 May 2025
-
That’s due to several factors, such as challenges related to cost and access and hesitancy among some cardiologists and primary care physicians.—
Annika Kim Constantino,Ashley Capoot,
CNBC,
1 Apr. 2025
Noun
-
Seamless travel will look like fewer interruptions and shorter wait times while technology works quietly in the background.—
Omry Litvak,
Forbes.com,
23 May 2025
-
Career interruptions in a workforce often dismissive of aging women.—
Essence,
Essence,
20 May 2025
Noun
-
But that is where the similarities end, and where the hesitance to believe the Knicks had a chance at the reigning champs seeps in deep.—
Kristian Winfield,
New York Daily News,
6 May 2025
-
This hesitance only reinforces the false narrative that race is a divisive topic rather than an integral part of understanding American society.—
Anne Tapp Jaksa,
Baltimore Sun,
14 Apr. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Pause.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/pause. Accessed 4 Jun. 2025.
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