as in interval
a break in continuity
there was a parenthesis of silence when the microphone momentarily lost power
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Recent Examples of parenthesis
At one point in the Symposium on Young American Men, one of the few female panelists named a statistic about suicidal thoughts among young men—then, as if in parentheses, added that the rate was even higher for women.
—
Faith Hill, The Atlantic, 23 Feb. 2026
The number in parentheses is what percentage of ballots the candidate was on last year.
—Assistant Sports Editor, Los Angeles Times, 11 Feb. 2026
The top 25 teams in The Associated Press' college basketball poll, with first-place votes in parentheses, and total points based on 25 points for a first-place vote through one point for a 25th-place vote and previous ranking.
—Joseph Duarte, Houston Chronicle, 9 Feb. 2026
Here is the Hurricanes’ complete 2026 schedule with 2025 records in parentheses.
—Adam Lichtenstein, Sun Sentinel, 26 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for parenthesis
Faith Hill, The Atlantic, 23 Feb. 2026
The number in parentheses is what percentage of ballots the candidate was on last year.
—Assistant Sports Editor, Los Angeles Times, 11 Feb. 2026
The top 25 teams in The Associated Press' college basketball poll, with first-place votes in parentheses, and total points based on 25 points for a first-place vote through one point for a 25th-place vote and previous ranking.
—Joseph Duarte, Houston Chronicle, 9 Feb. 2026
Here is the Hurricanes’ complete 2026 schedule with 2025 records in parentheses.
—Adam Lichtenstein, Sun Sentinel, 26 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for parenthesis
Recent Examples of Synonyms for parenthesis
Noun
-
This meant that watching your ship blast across the screen — as well as the aliens appearing at random intervals — hit harder for players, ramping up the tension and, ultimately, the fun.—
Daryl Baxter,
Space.com,
4 Apr. 2026
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Hákon Haraldsson put the host ahead just before the interval, finishing a swift move sparked by a long, precise pass from Lille captain Aïssa Mandi.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
4 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
As the city has become a year-round base, their clients—often finance and tech principals relocating from New York and California—expect homes to support work, family life, and entertaining without interruption.—
Abby Montanez,
Robb Report,
31 Mar. 2026
-
The structure remains fairly traditional, allowing the images to carry the weight of the story without interruption.—
Caterina De Biasio,
Vogue,
31 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Though the programs also typically face each other during the regular season, the rivalry series took a hiatus this year due to scheduling conflicts for the Huskies after the Big East expanded to 20 conference games.—
Emily Adams,
Hartford Courant,
2 Apr. 2026
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Montreux Jazz Festival 2026 will celebrate 60 years of the festival with its return to the Convention Centre after a two-year hiatus.—
Larisha Paul,
Rolling Stone,
1 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
After a pause earlier this month to make way for the WGA talks, negotiation are set to pick up with the Sean Astin-run SAG-AFTRA in June, if not sooner.—
Dominic Patten,
Deadline,
4 Apr. 2026
-
Instead of plowing ahead with the current design, perhaps a pause is warranted.—
DP Opinion,
Denver Post,
4 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
The gender gap narrowed slightly in recent years but widened again in 2025, according to an analysis by the Economic Policy Institute.—
Daniel de Visé,
USA Today,
31 Mar. 2026
-
Another admitted to brushing crumbs into the gap between the stove and counter as a child—only to be caught and made to pull the appliance out and deep-clean the entire area.—
Daniella Gray,
MSNBC Newsweek,
31 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Parenthesis.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/parenthesis. Accessed 5 Apr. 2026.
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