aposiopesis

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

And the novel's final line, from inside Valentine's head, is a typical and brilliant Fordian aposiopesis: "She was setting out on …" It could end there.

From The Guardian • Aug. 24, 2012

By the same token—but here the figure of aposiopesis is advantageous to me—old Madam Burridge, of my lodgings, has sent me three large forks and one small, which I left behind.

From What I Remember, Volume 2 by Trollope, Thomas Adolphus

He filled up his aposiopesis with an uncouth gesture, signifying 'I may as well get back to Australia.'

From Yet Again by Beerbohm, Max, Sir

Raphael, Michael Angelo, Wiertz, Reynolds——” He paused, not in order to produce the effect of a dramatic aposiopesis, but because he could not for the moment remember other names of painters.

From The Joyous Adventures of Aristide Pujol by Ball, Alec

"So..." said Mr. Carmyle, becoming articulate, and allowed an impressive aposiopesis to take the place of the rest of the speech.

From The Adventures of Sally by Wodehouse, P. G. (Pelham Grenville)