Synonyms for pause
noun
A break
intermission, suspension, discontinuance, breathing space, breather*, hitch, hesitancy, interlude, hiatus, abeyance, interim, lapse, cessation, stopover, interval, rest period, gap, stoppage; see also recess 1.
Antonyms continuation*, prolongation, progression.
Temporary inaction
lull, rest, stop, halt, truce, suspension of active hostilities, stay, respite, interregnum, standstill, stand, deadlock, stillness.
Antonyms persistence*, steadiness, ceaselessness.
give one pause
make one stop and think, cause doubt, create suspicion, create uncertainty; see confuse.
verb
delay, halt, rest, catch one's breath, cease, hold back, reflect, deliberate, suspend, think twice, discontinue, interrupt, rest one's oars*; see also hesitate.
See pause in American Heritage Dictionary 4 Synonyms
pause intermission recess respite suspension
These nouns denote a temporary stop, as in activity: a short pause in the conversation; a concert with a 15-minute intermission; the legislature's summer recess; toiling without respite; a suspension of work.
See pause in Webster's New World Roget's A-Z Thesaurus II
verb
To stop temporarily and remain, as if reluctant to leave:
abide, bide, linger, stay1, tarry, wait. See continueTo be irresolute in acting or doing:
dither, falter, halt2, hesitate, shilly-shally, stagger, vacillate, waver, wobble. See decide
noun
A cessation of continuity or regularity:
break, discontinuance, discontinuation, discontinuity, disruption, interruption, suspension. See continueThe act of hesitating or state of being hesitant:
hesitancy, hesitation, indecision, indecisiveness, irresoluteness, irresolution, shilly-shally, tentativeness, timidity, timidness, to-and-fro, vacillation. See decide
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