paused

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.

See Examples For:

paused

It shelves a photograph you paused over, a dish you ate three summers ago, a flavor combination you praised enthusiastically in public and then apparently continued discussing with yourself in private.

From Salon ● Aug. 1, 2026

They paused those monthly hikes from January to March of this year.

From MarketWatch ● Aug. 1, 2026

The Sentencing Act release scheme was due to come into force from 2 September, but it has been paused by new Prime Minister Andy Burnham following criticism from survivors and victims' families.

From BBC ● Jul. 30, 2026

West Texas Intermediate and Brent crude front-month contracts fell on Monday after the U.S. paused attacks on Iran.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 28, 2026

He paused, then added, "Listen, Mary Lou. You have to promise not to tell anyone about this."

From "Jeremy Thatcher, Dragon Hatcher" by Bruce Coville