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Pause synonyms

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suspension
The act of suspending or the condition of being suspended, especially:
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  1. The act of suspending or the condition of being suspended, especially:
  2. A mixture in which small particles of a substance are dispersed throughout a gas or liquid. If a suspension is left undisturbed, the particles are likely to settle to the bottom. The particles in a suspension are larger than those in either a colloid or a solution. Muddy water is an example of a suspension.
  3. (Chem.) The condition of a substance whose particles are dispersed through a fluid but not dissolved in it, esp. the condition of one having relatively large particles that will separate out on standing
breathing-space
Enough distance so that one can feel unfettered.
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  1. Enough distance so that one can feel unfettered.
  2. Alternative spelling of breathing space.
  3. Sufficient space or a span of time in which to recover one's breath.
breather
One that breathes, especially in a specified manner:
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  1. One that breathes, especially in a specified manner:
  2. (Informal) A short rest period:
  3. A short break; a rest or respite.
hitch
A device used to connect one thing to another:
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  1. A device used to connect one thing to another:
  2. A short, sudden movement or pull; tug; jerk
  3. (Slang) A period of time served, as of military service, imprisonment, etc.
hesitancy
An instance of hesitating.
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  1. An instance of hesitating.
  2. The state or quality of being hesitant.
  3. Hesitation or indecision; doubt
interlude
(Music) A short piece inserted between the parts of a longer composition.
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  1. (Music) A short piece inserted between the parts of a longer composition.
  2. A short play of a sort popular in the Tudor period, either farcical or moralistic in tone and with a plot typically derived from French farce or the morality play
  3. An intervening episode, feature, or period of time:
hiatus
(Anatomy) A separation, aperture, fissure, or short passage in an organ or body part.
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  1. (Anatomy) A separation, aperture, fissure, or short passage in an organ or body part.
  2. (Phonet.) A slight pause in pronunciation between two successive vowels in adjacent words or syllables, as between the sounds represented by the successive e's in he entered and reenter
  3. A gap or interruption in space, time, or continuity; a break:
abeyance
The status of real property or of a position or title when its ownership or occupancy is not vested in any existing person or party.
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  1. The status of real property or of a position or title when its ownership or occupancy is not vested in any existing person or party.
  2. Temporary suspension, as of an activity or function
  3. The condition of being temporarily set aside; suspension:
interim
An interval of time between one event, process, or period and another.
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  1. An interval of time between one event, process, or period and another.
lapse
The failure of a bequest or devise to take effect because of the death of the person who was to receive it
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  1. The failure of a bequest or devise to take effect because of the death of the person who was to receive it
  2. A period of time; an interval:
  3. A falling or slipping into a lower or worse condition, esp. for a short time
think-twice
(Idiomatic) To reconsider, use judgement; to proceed with caution or thought.
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  1. (Idiomatic) To reconsider, use judgement; to proceed with caution or thought.
intermission
A break between two performances or sessions, such as at a concert, play, seminar, or religious assembly.
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  1. A break between two performances or sessions, such as at a concert, play, seminar, or religious assembly.
  2. An interval between periods of activity, as between the acts of a play.
  3. An interval of time between periods of activity; extended pause, as between acts of a play
discontinuance
The voluntary termination of litigation by a plaintiff who has elected not to pursue it or by both parties pursuant to a settlement. The voluntary termination of litigation by a plaintiff who has elected not to pursue it or by both parties pursuant to a settlement.
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  1. The voluntary termination of litigation by a plaintiff who has elected not to pursue it or by both parties pursuant to a settlement. The voluntary termination of litigation by a plaintiff who has elected not to pursue it or by both parties pursuant to a settlement.
  2. (Law) The stopping of a legal action prior to trial, either voluntarily by the plaintiff or by order of the court
  3. A stopping or being stopped; cessation or interruption
cessation
A bringing or coming to an end; a ceasing:
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  1. A bringing or coming to an end; a ceasing:
  2. (Formal) A ceasing or discontinuance, as of action, whether temporary or final.
  3. A ceasing, or stopping, either forever or for some time
stopover
Alternative spelling of stop-over.
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  1. Alternative spelling of stop-over.
  2. A short interruption in a journey or the place visited during such an interruption.
interval
(Math.) The set containing all numbers between two given numbers: it may include one, both, or neither end point
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  1. (Math.) The set containing all numbers between two given numbers: it may include one, both, or neither end point
  2. A period of time between two events, points of time, etc.; intervening period
  3. A half-open interval.
gap
An interruption of continuity in space or time; hiatus; lacuna
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  1. An interruption of continuity in space or time; hiatus; lacuna
  2. A conspicuous difference or imbalance; a disparity:
  3. An interruption of continuity:
stoppage
A pause or halt of some activity.
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  1. A pause or halt of some activity.
  2. Something that forms an obstacle to continued activity, a blockage.
  3. The act of stopping or the condition of being stopped; a halt:
lull
An interval of lessened activity:
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  1. An interval of lessened activity:
  2. A relatively calm interval, as in a storm.
  3. A short period of quiet or of comparative calm, lessened activity, etc.
rest
A device used as a support:
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  1. A device used as a support:
  2. The condition of being settled or resolved:
  3. Sleep or the refreshment resulting from inactivity or sleep:
stop
A place at which someone or something stops:
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  1. A place at which someone or something stops:
  2. The act of stopping or the condition of being stopped:
  3. A stay or sojourn
halt
(Dated) Lameness; a limp.
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  1. (Dated) Lameness; a limp.
  2. A command to stop
  3. A suspension of movement or progress, especially a temporary one:
truce
A temporary cessation of warfare by agreement between the belligerents; armistice; cease-fire
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  1. A temporary cessation of warfare by agreement between the belligerents; armistice; cease-fire
  2. A temporary cessation or suspension of hostilities by agreement of the opposing sides; an armistice.
  3. Any pause in or respite from quarreling, conflict, trouble, etc.
stay
Anything used as a support, or prop
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  1. Anything used as a support, or prop
  2. (Informal) Ability to continue or endure
  3. Time spent in a place
respite
A usually short period of rest or relief.
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  1. A usually short period of rest or relief.
  2. A delay or postponement of a sentence, or one granted to a jury or court for further consideration or deliberation. In all cases, it is temporary. A delay or postponement of a sentence, or one granted to a jury or court for further consideration or deliberation. In all cases, it is temporary.
  3. An interval of temporary relief or rest, as from pain, work, or duty; lull
interregnum
Any break in a series or in a continuity; interval
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  1. Any break in a series or in a continuity; interval
  2. A suspension of governmental or administrative functions; period without the usual ruler, governor, etc.
  3. The interval of time between the end of a sovereign's reign and the accession of a successor.
standstill
Complete immobility; halt
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  1. Complete immobility; halt
  2. Complete cessation of activity or progress:
  3. A stop, halt, or cessation
stand
A position or opinion one is prepared to uphold:
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  1. A position or opinion one is prepared to uphold:
  2. A stop on a performance tour.
  3. A structure for a person or persons to stand or sit on, or to stand at
deadlock
A standstill resulting from the action of equal and opposed forces; stalemate
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  1. A standstill resulting from the action of equal and opposed forces; stalemate
  2. (Computing) An inability to continue due to two programs or devices each requiring a response from the other before completing an operation
  3. A tie between opponents in the course of a contest
delay
To act or move slowly; put off an action or a decision.
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  1. To act or move slowly; put off an action or a decision.
  2. To put off to a future time; postpone
  3. To cause to be later or slower than expected or desired:
halt
To walk lamely or move in an irregular fashion.
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  1. To walk lamely or move in an irregular fashion.
  2. To come or bring to a halt; stop, esp. temporarily
  3. To stop; pause:
rest
To be unchanged or unresolved:
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  1. To be unchanged or unresolved:
  2. (Law) To complete the main presentation of (one's portion of a case):
  3. To give rest to; refresh by rest
catch-one-s-breath
To take in a breath sharply and hold it, usually in reaction to a sudden shock, or surprise.
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  1. To take in a breath sharply and hold it, usually in reaction to a sudden shock, or surprise.
  2. To take a break, or rest while doing a strenuous activity, so that one's breathing becomes easier.
cease
To put an end to; discontinue:
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  1. To put an end to; discontinue:
  2. To stop performing an activity or action; desist:
  3. To come to an end; stop:
hold back
(Idiomatic) to delay, especially in school
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  1. (Idiomatic) to delay, especially in school
  2. (Idiomatic) to contain; stop
reflect
To throw or bend back (light or sound, for example) from a surface.
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  1. To throw or bend back (light or sound, for example) from a surface.
  2. 1985, Justin Richards, Option Lock, page 229:
  3. (Intransitive) To think seriously; to ponder or consider.
deliberate
To think or consider carefully and fully; esp., to consider reasons for and against a thing in order to make up one's mind
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  1. To think or consider carefully and fully; esp., to consider reasons for and against a thing in order to make up one's mind
  2. To think carefully and often slowly, as about a choice to be made.
  3. Intentional and premeditated, of an act performed with prior planning; with full consideration and thoroughly, as in “with all deliberate speed.”
suspend
To cause to stop for a period; interrupt:
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  1. To cause to stop for a period; interrupt:
  2. To hold in abeyance; defer:
  3. To cause to cease or become inoperative for a time; stop temporarily
discontinue
To stop using, doing, etc.; cease; give up
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  1. To stop using, doing, etc.; cease; give up
  2. To come to an end.
  3. To interrupt the continuance of; to put an end to, especially as regards commercial productions; to stop producing, making, or supplying something.
interrupt
To stop (someone engaged in an activity) by saying or doing something:
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  1. To stop (someone engaged in an activity) by saying or doing something:
  2. To cause an activity to stop by saying or doing something.
  3. To break in upon (a person) who is speaking, working, etc.; stop or hinder
abide
To stand fast; remain; go on being
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  1. To stand fast; remain; go on being
  2. To wait patiently for:
  3. (Archaic) To stay; reside (in or at)
bide
To stay:
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  1. To stay:
  2. To wait; tarry.
  3. To stay; continue
linger
To continue to stay, esp. from a reluctance to leave
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  1. To continue to stay, esp. from a reluctance to leave
  2. To pause or dwell (over or on something) in contemplation, deliberation, enjoyment, etc.
  3. To devote considerable time to something, especially in a leisurely fashion:
stay
To keep up in a race or contest:
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  1. To keep up in a race or contest:
  2. To brace or support with a stay or stays
  3. (Archaic) To wait for; await:
tarry
To delay or be late in going, coming, or doing something:
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  1. To delay or be late in going, coming, or doing something:
  2. To stay for a time, esp. longer than originally intended; remain temporarily
  3. To wait for; await.
wait
To remain or rest in expectation:
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  1. To remain or rest in expectation:
  2. To be a waiter or waitress at:
  3. To remain or stay in expectation of; await:
dither
To be indecisive; vacillate, waver, etc.
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  1. To be indecisive; vacillate, waver, etc.
  2. To do something nervously.
  3. (Computer graphics) To render an approximation of (an image, etc.) by using dot patterns in similar colours to those that are unavailable on the system.
falter
To move uncertainly or unsteadily; totter; stumble
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  1. To move uncertainly or unsteadily; totter; stumble
  2. To stumble in speech; speak haltingly; stammer
  3. To say hesitantly or timidly
halt
(Intransitive) To stop either temporarily or permanently.
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  1. (Intransitive) To stop either temporarily or permanently.
  2. To bring to a stop.
  3. (Intransitive) To stop marching.
hesitate
To be slow to act, speak, or decide:
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  1. To be slow to act, speak, or decide:
  2. To stop because of indecision; pause or delay in acting, choosing, or deciding because of feeling unsure; waver
  3. To pause; stop momentarily
shilly-shally
To procrastinate.
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  1. To procrastinate.
  2. To spend time on insignificant things; dawdle.
  3. To be unable to come to a decision; vacillate.
stagger
To move unsteadily, as though about to collapse; totter, sway, or reel, as from a blow, fatigue, drunkenness, etc.
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  1. To move unsteadily, as though about to collapse; totter, sway, or reel, as from a blow, fatigue, drunkenness, etc.
  2. To lose determination, strength of purpose, etc.; hesitate; waver
  3. (Sports) To arrange (the start of a race) with the starting point in the outside lanes progressively closer to the finish line so as to neutralize the advantage of competing in the shorter inside lanes.
vacillate
To waver in mind; show indecision
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  1. To waver in mind; show indecision
  2. To change between one state and another; fluctuate:
  3. To be unable to choose between different courses of action or opinions; waver:
waver
To move unsteadily back and forth:
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  1. To move unsteadily back and forth:
  2. To tremble or quaver in sound, as of the voice or a musical note.
  3. To become unsteady; begin to give way; falter
wobble
To tremble or quaver:
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  1. To tremble or quaver:
  2. To waver or vacillate in one's opinions or feelings.
  3. To waver in one's opinions, etc.; vacillate
break
Break dancing.
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  1. Break dancing.
  2. An escape:
  3. The result of breaking, as a crack, separation, or opening:
discontinuance
A stopping or being stopped; cessation or interruption
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  1. A stopping or being stopped; cessation or interruption
  2. (Law) The plaintiff's failure to proceed in a legal action.
  3. (Law) The stopping of a legal action prior to trial, either voluntarily by the plaintiff or by order of the court
discontinuation
Discontinuance
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  1. Discontinuance
  2. A cessation; a discontinuance.
  3. Breach or interruption of continuity; separation of parts in a connected series; discontinuance.
discontinuity
A usually uneven surface between two layers of rock or sediment that represents either an interruption in the deposition of the layers, as in an unconformity, or a displacement of one or both layers relative to each other, as in a fault.
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  1. A usually uneven surface between two layers of rock or sediment that represents either an interruption in the deposition of the layers, as in an unconformity, or a displacement of one or both layers relative to each other, as in a fault.
  2. (Geology) a subterranean interface at which seismic velocities change
  3. A gap or break
interruption
An interrupting or being interrupted
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  1. An interrupting or being interrupted
  2. Anything that interrupts
  3. The interval during which something is interrupted; intermission
suspension
The act or means of suspending the balance or pendulum in a timepiece
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  1. The act or means of suspending the balance or pendulum in a timepiece
  2. (Chem.) The condition of a substance whose particles are dispersed through a fluid but not dissolved in it, esp. the condition of one having relatively large particles that will separate out on standing
  3. A mixture in which small particles of a substance are dispersed throughout a gas or liquid. If a suspension is left undisturbed, the particles are likely to settle to the bottom. The particles in a suspension are larger than those in either a colloid or a solution. Muddy water is an example of a suspension.
hesitancy
An instance of hesitating.
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  1. An instance of hesitating.
  2. The state or quality of being hesitant.
  3. Hesitation or indecision; doubt
hesitation
Reluctance
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  1. Reluctance
  2. Uncertainty; indecision
  3. A hesitating or feeling hesitant
indecision
Reluctance or an inability to make up one's mind; irresolution.
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  1. Reluctance or an inability to make up one's mind; irresolution.
  2. The inability to decide on a course of action, especially if two or more possibilities exist.
  3. Lack of decision; inability to decide or tendency to change the mind frequently; hesitation or vacillation
indecisiveness
The condition of being indecisive
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  1. The condition of being indecisive
shilly-shally
(Now Rare) Vacillation or irresolution, esp. over a trivial matter
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  1. (Now Rare) Vacillation or irresolution, esp. over a trivial matter
  2. Procrastination; hesitation.
tentativeness
The characteristic of being tentative.
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  1. The characteristic of being tentative.
timidness
The property of being timid; shyness.
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  1. The property of being timid; shyness.
to-and-fro
Movement back and forth; reciprocating movement.
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  1. Movement back and forth; reciprocating movement.
  2. Debate over an issue; vacillation.
Find another word for pause. In this page you can discover 90 synonyms, antonyms, idiomatic expressions, and related words for pause, like: suspension, breathing-space, breather, hitch, hesitancy, interlude, hiatus, abeyance, interim, lapse and think-twice.

Sentence Examples

  • It also revealed something that gave her pause for thought.

  • There was a long pause before she sensed him change forms behind her.

  • Pause here to take a breath.

  • There was a pause, then his uncle's familiar, strained voice.

  • At the pause, Damian knew they were all looking at the geospatial depiction.

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