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
Relevance
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
Paul Davidson, USA TODAY, 7 Feb. 2025
Mandel Ngan | Afp | Getty Images A federal judge paused President Donald Trump’s offer to buy out federal employees hours before the deadline to accept the deal.
—Sara Salinas, CNBC, 7 Feb. 2025
Henry Gass, The Christian Science Monitor, 7 Feb. 2025
Following a flurry of last-minute negotiations, however, Trump has placed a 30-day pause on the tariffs.
—Marc-William Palen / Made By History, TIME, 6 Feb. 2025
See all Example Sentences for pause 
Verb
But forecasters say Trump’s tariffs on imports and the deportations of immigrants who lack permanent legal status – a program that would constrain the labor supply and drive up wages – could force the Fed to pause its rate cuts for an extended period.
—Paul Davidson, USA TODAY, 7 Feb. 2025
Mandel Ngan | Afp | Getty Images A federal judge paused President Donald Trump’s offer to buy out federal employees hours before the deadline to accept the deal.
—Sara Salinas, CNBC, 7 Feb. 2025
Noun
A week into the new administration, the U.S. Office of Management and Budget issued a memo ordering a pause on all federal grant and loan payments pending an executive branch review.
—Henry Gass, The Christian Science Monitor, 7 Feb. 2025
Following a flurry of last-minute negotiations, however, Trump has placed a 30-day pause on the tariffs.
—Marc-William Palen / Made By History, TIME, 6 Feb. 2025
See all Example Sentences for pause
Recent Examples of Synonyms for pause
Verb
-
When asked for his prediction of who would win tournament MVP if Finland were to win the 4 Nations, Roope Hintz didn’t hesitate very long.—
Arpon Basu,
The Athletic,
11 Feb. 2025
-
Don’t hesitate to express your concerns, share your goals, or ask for guidance.—
Nick Blackmer,
Verywell Health,
10 Feb. 2025
Noun
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The degree of care that went into the documentary aspects of the six hours matched the flawless way in which 27 acts proceeded one another on stage with nary a lull or snafu in sight.—
Chris Willman,
Variety,
31 Jan. 2025
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That lull in performance coincided with Pickens’ injury absence and an emphasis from opponents on eliminating the deep ball.—
Mike DeFabo,
The Athletic,
22 Jan. 2025
Noun
-
Republican support But other Republicans had no hesitation in backing her.—
David Lightman,
Sacramento Bee,
12 Feb. 2025
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Additionally, Butler had initial hesitation in going to the Bay.—
Kristan Hawkins,
Newsweek,
6 Feb. 2025
Verb
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Having lost a close first set against Krueger, Bencic responded in impressive fashion by playing more aggressive tennis and breaking her opponent’s serve five times over the next two sets.—
George Ramsay,
CNN,
9 Feb. 2025
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On the hunt for a recipe to break you out of your monotonous meal routine?—
Mary Shannon Wells,
Southern Living,
9 Feb. 2025
Noun
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Before the Swedes had caught their breath, Canada’s bananas top power-play unit had snapped the puck around until MacKinnon drained a Sidney Crosby cross-crease dish.—
Arpon Basu,
The Athletic,
15 Feb. 2025
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As one of the country’s top five most biodiverse states, Alabama’s great outdoors offer not only a breath of fresh air and beautiful views aplenty, but also a chance to get acquainted with a huge range of biomes and species.—
Tara Massouleh McCay,
Southern Living,
15 Feb. 2025
Noun
-
And so there’s been no hesitancy with me sending you the Final Draft file.—
Pamela McClintock,
The Hollywood Reporter,
28 Jan. 2025
-
Seems to be a hesitancy to their play, consistent with over-thinking.—
Scott Wheeler,
The Athletic,
29 Dec. 2024
Noun
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Advocates for Community Health, which represents community health centers, wrote in a statement that clinics in Maine, Nebraska, Illinois, Michigan, along with Virginia, had experienced interruptions.—
Selena Simmons-Duffin,
NPR,
8 Feb. 2025
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There were a record 259 rocket launches in 2024 — each one requiring an interruption or redirection of commercial air traffic.—
Joann Muller,
Axios,
31 Jan. 2025
Noun
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Lobell said cost plays a key role in the hesitance to innovate.—
James Manso,
WWD,
28 Jan. 2025
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Renick said that Gemma's hesitance to accept treats likely stems from her past, which remains a mystery but clearly included hardships.—
Paul Du Quenoy,
Newsweek,
9 Jan. 2025
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Cite this Entry
“Pause.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/pause. Accessed 20 Feb. 2025.
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