as in hesitated
to come to a temporary halt in one's activity
he paused for a moment to regain his composure
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Recent Examples of paused
Ben Steinberg, a 26-year-old film student who has led the grassroots Save the Cinerama Dome campaign to reopen the theater, has paused his activities.
—
Mark Olsen, Los Angeles Times, 6 Apr. 2026
Defendants who are found to be mentally incompetent cannot be tried for crimes — rather, their criminal prosecutions are paused while defendants go through treatment aimed at restoring them to competency.
—Shelly Bradbury, Denver Post, 5 Apr. 2026
Some of the largest insurers, including State Farm and AllState, have even paused writing new home policies anywhere in California.
—Ethan Varian, Mercury News, 5 Apr. 2026
Over the last couple of years, a number of public universities have closed or paused academic programs—moves that impact students, parents, faculty, staff, alumni and others—for financial reasons.
—Michael McCann, Sportico.com, 3 Apr. 2026
Right now, the city has paused hiring and spending at Boston Public Schools due to the budget gap there, and a city spokesperson told the Herald in a statement that the mayor is freezing spending to address the city’s shortfall.
—Boston Herald Editorial Staff, Boston Herald, 3 Apr. 2026
Criminal proceedings for a man accused of arson and murder in the deaths of a couple who had been renting him a room in their San Marcos home were paused Thursday after the man’s attorney raised questions about his mental competency.
—Teri Figueroa, San Diego Union-Tribune, 3 Apr. 2026
Production has been paused on Season 4 of Drag Race Philippines following the sudden death of Misua, who passed away Thursday.
—Denise Petski, Deadline, 3 Apr. 2026
An appellate court has paused the order for now, and at time of publication had yet to rule on the merits.
—Jasmine Laws, MSNBC Newsweek, 31 Mar. 2026
Mark Olsen, Los Angeles Times, 6 Apr. 2026
Defendants who are found to be mentally incompetent cannot be tried for crimes — rather, their criminal prosecutions are paused while defendants go through treatment aimed at restoring them to competency.
—Shelly Bradbury, Denver Post, 5 Apr. 2026
Some of the largest insurers, including State Farm and AllState, have even paused writing new home policies anywhere in California.
—Ethan Varian, Mercury News, 5 Apr. 2026
Over the last couple of years, a number of public universities have closed or paused academic programs—moves that impact students, parents, faculty, staff, alumni and others—for financial reasons.
—Michael McCann, Sportico.com, 3 Apr. 2026
Right now, the city has paused hiring and spending at Boston Public Schools due to the budget gap there, and a city spokesperson told the Herald in a statement that the mayor is freezing spending to address the city’s shortfall.
—Boston Herald Editorial Staff, Boston Herald, 3 Apr. 2026
Criminal proceedings for a man accused of arson and murder in the deaths of a couple who had been renting him a room in their San Marcos home were paused Thursday after the man’s attorney raised questions about his mental competency.
—Teri Figueroa, San Diego Union-Tribune, 3 Apr. 2026
Production has been paused on Season 4 of Drag Race Philippines following the sudden death of Misua, who passed away Thursday.
—Denise Petski, Deadline, 3 Apr. 2026
An appellate court has paused the order for now, and at time of publication had yet to rule on the merits.
—Jasmine Laws, MSNBC Newsweek, 31 Mar. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for paused
hesitated
Verb
-
While much of Manhattan hesitated, the ultra-wealthy kept moving—and in some cases, moving quickly when the right opportunity appeared.—
Abby Montanez,
Robb Report,
4 Apr. 2026
-
When the girl hesitated, embarrassed, the boy insisted.—
Daniella Gray,
MSNBC Newsweek,
1 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Paused.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/paused. Accessed 7 Apr. 2026.
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