as in hesitated
to come to a temporary halt in one's activity
he paused for a moment to regain his composure
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of paused
Flight operations at two airports -- one in Russia's southern city of Volgograd and the other in the western city of Kaluga -- were temporarily paused, Russia's federal air transport agency said.
—
David Brennan, ABC News, 9 Feb. 2026
In the photo, the Smiths are on an island beach where the waves have paused at their back.
—Andrew Callahan, Twin Cities, 7 Feb. 2026
The agency has also been publishing fewer reports in its flagship publication the Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report, canceled a campaign to encourage flu vaccination, paused updating critical databases and rarely briefs reporters.
—Rob Stein, NPR, 6 Feb. 2026
Additionally, a swath of Strategy copycats that emerged over the past year or so have slowed or paused their bitcoin purchases amid the digital asset’s correction.
—Liz Napolitano, CNBC, 6 Feb. 2026
The Federal Emergency Management Agency will resume staff cuts that were briefly paused during January’s severe winter storm, according to two FEMA managers, stoking concern across the agency over its ability to address disasters with fewer workers.
—Gabriela Aoun Angueira, Chicago Tribune, 6 Feb. 2026
Fans at an All Elite Wrestling match on Wednesday night broke out into an anti-ICE chant that briefly paused the pro-wrestling match.
—Isabel Yip, NBC news, 5 Feb. 2026
Sidewalk vending permits will also be paused, temporary structures will need permits in order to be erected on non-residential properties and promotional giveaways will be limited except on private property by businesses operating in the area.
—Grace Hase, Mercury News, 5 Feb. 2026
Gu paused her studies at Stanford this school year but will be back on campus in March for the spring quarter.
—Kurt Badenhausen, Sportico.com, 5 Feb. 2026
David Brennan, ABC News, 9 Feb. 2026
In the photo, the Smiths are on an island beach where the waves have paused at their back.
—Andrew Callahan, Twin Cities, 7 Feb. 2026
The agency has also been publishing fewer reports in its flagship publication the Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report, canceled a campaign to encourage flu vaccination, paused updating critical databases and rarely briefs reporters.
—Rob Stein, NPR, 6 Feb. 2026
Additionally, a swath of Strategy copycats that emerged over the past year or so have slowed or paused their bitcoin purchases amid the digital asset’s correction.
—Liz Napolitano, CNBC, 6 Feb. 2026
The Federal Emergency Management Agency will resume staff cuts that were briefly paused during January’s severe winter storm, according to two FEMA managers, stoking concern across the agency over its ability to address disasters with fewer workers.
—Gabriela Aoun Angueira, Chicago Tribune, 6 Feb. 2026
Fans at an All Elite Wrestling match on Wednesday night broke out into an anti-ICE chant that briefly paused the pro-wrestling match.
—Isabel Yip, NBC news, 5 Feb. 2026
Sidewalk vending permits will also be paused, temporary structures will need permits in order to be erected on non-residential properties and promotional giveaways will be limited except on private property by businesses operating in the area.
—Grace Hase, Mercury News, 5 Feb. 2026
Gu paused her studies at Stanford this school year but will be back on campus in March for the spring quarter.
—Kurt Badenhausen, Sportico.com, 5 Feb. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for paused
hesitated
Verb
-
Even then, his father, Chris Oettinger, hesitated to believe his Olympic dreams would become a reality — until the roster was announced last month.—
Lia Assimakopoulos
Dallas Stars,
Dallas Morning News,
6 Feb. 2026
-
Asked if this was a statement game, Dahlin hesitated.—
Matthew Fairburn,
New York Times,
28 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Paused.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/paused. Accessed 15 Feb. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
