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Definitions

pause

[pawz] / pɔz /
NOUN
wait, delay
Synonyms
STRONGEST
breathing space halt hesitation hiatus hitch interlude intermission interruption interval lapse layoff letup lull recess respite stoppage suspension
STRONG
abeyance break caesura cessation comma cutoff deadlock discontinuance downtime freeze gap gridlock hesitancy hush interim interregnum lacuna rest stand standstill stay stillness stopover
WEAK
breakoff breathing spell coffee break happy hour pausation postponement rest period time out
Antonyms
STRONGEST
continuation continuity go start
STRONG
action activity advance
WEAK
persistence
VERB
wait, delay
Synonyms
STRONGEST
hesitate interrupt shake waver
STRONG
cease deliberate desist discontinue drop halt reflect rest sideline suspend
WEAK
break it up call time catch one's breath come to standstill hold back put on hold stop briefly take a break take a breather take five take ten think twice
Antonyms
STRONG
carry on continue do go keep on restart rise
WEAK
persist

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.

How, they ponder, can the Wall Street benchmark be even higher than it was before the Iran war started while the conflict is only on pause during the largest oil supply disruption in history?

From MarketWatch • Apr. 20, 2026

Let’s put a pause on all this speculation and just enjoy what Saturday’s playoff opener wrought.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 19, 2026

"Instead, there is a tendency to pause before booking and waiting until later to lock in plans."

From BBC • Apr. 18, 2026

In cities where it was fully visible, people appeared to pause their usual routines, creating a measurable drop in human generated vibrations.

From Science Daily • Apr. 18, 2026

There is a long pause, and then he adds, “Let’s not get caught in a dust storm.”

From "A Rover's Story" by Jasmine Warga

Vocabulary lists containing pause

The Best Starting Words for Wordle

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"Thank You, M'am"

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"Because I Could Not Stop for Death" by Emily Dickinson

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