as in intervals
a break in continuity
an awkward intermission between speeches
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 intermissions
There will also be two short intermissions.
—
Elizabeth Marie Himchak, San Diego Union-Tribune, 14 Apr. 2026
Newport’s skillful direction drives the more than 3½-hour play (including two intermissions), making every minute count.
—Michelle F. Solomon, Miami Herald, 26 Mar. 2026
The wave of customers who visit the concession stands during intermissions makes speed of service more important for venues than for most stores, restaurants or taverns.
—David Bruce, USA Today, 24 Feb. 2026
After the first of two intermissions (a choice that logistically makes sense but somewhat slows the pace), the action jumps to Marlene’s present day, in the early years of conservative politician Margaret Thatcher’s tenure as the UK’s prime minister.
—Emily McClanathan, Chicago Tribune, 20 Feb. 2026
The reason McDavid knows that for a fact is that Crosby was around the team before, and — perhaps more notably — during the game, in the room at intermissions trying to help Canada find solutions for Finland’s trademark stifling defensive style.
—Arpon Basu, New York Times, 20 Feb. 2026
There were multiple intermissions, but those became part of the show as well, as there was no set time limit.
—Todd Martens, Los Angeles Times, 10 Feb. 2026
The long intermissions can tell us a lot about the music that has made us (Springsteen, McCartney, Diana Ross, U2) and serve as a barometer for the current culture (Kendrick Lamar) — kind of like the headlining spots at the Austin City Limits Music Festival.
—Matthew Odam, Austin American Statesman, 5 Feb. 2026
From rant, to results — and maybe a bit less Spoelstra stress during intermissions.
—Ira Winderman, Sun Sentinel, 2 Jan. 2026
Elizabeth Marie Himchak, San Diego Union-Tribune, 14 Apr. 2026
Newport’s skillful direction drives the more than 3½-hour play (including two intermissions), making every minute count.
—Michelle F. Solomon, Miami Herald, 26 Mar. 2026
The wave of customers who visit the concession stands during intermissions makes speed of service more important for venues than for most stores, restaurants or taverns.
—David Bruce, USA Today, 24 Feb. 2026
After the first of two intermissions (a choice that logistically makes sense but somewhat slows the pace), the action jumps to Marlene’s present day, in the early years of conservative politician Margaret Thatcher’s tenure as the UK’s prime minister.
—Emily McClanathan, Chicago Tribune, 20 Feb. 2026
The reason McDavid knows that for a fact is that Crosby was around the team before, and — perhaps more notably — during the game, in the room at intermissions trying to help Canada find solutions for Finland’s trademark stifling defensive style.
—Arpon Basu, New York Times, 20 Feb. 2026
There were multiple intermissions, but those became part of the show as well, as there was no set time limit.
—Todd Martens, Los Angeles Times, 10 Feb. 2026
The long intermissions can tell us a lot about the music that has made us (Springsteen, McCartney, Diana Ross, U2) and serve as a barometer for the current culture (Kendrick Lamar) — kind of like the headlining spots at the Austin City Limits Music Festival.
—Matthew Odam, Austin American Statesman, 5 Feb. 2026
From rant, to results — and maybe a bit less Spoelstra stress during intermissions.
—Ira Winderman, Sun Sentinel, 2 Jan. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for intermissions
Noun
-
Position two or three oven racks at even intervals and heat the oven to three-fifty.—
Helen Rosner,
New Yorker,
26 Apr. 2026
-
Rain chances may linger into Thursday and Friday, though intervals of sun are also possible as temperatures hold in the mid to upper 60s.—
Baltimore Sun staff,
Baltimore Sun,
26 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Employees restock more frequently and experience fewer interruptions from weekend shoppers, resulting in shelves that tend to stay better organized and fuller.—
Elizabeth Fogarty,
Better Homes & Gardens,
29 Apr. 2026
-
These interruptions feel familiar, making the eventual release believable.—
Jason Phillips,
USA Today,
27 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Over nearly two decades, BIGBANG has weathered member departures, legal controversies, and years-long hiatuses.—
Hanna Wickes,
Sacbee.com,
20 Mar. 2026
-
More than half of the interview subjects self-funded their hiatuses.—
Colleen Newvine,
Los Angeles Times,
17 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Business major Andrea Lui found the chatbot’s voice to be surprisingly human, but the conversation felt choppy with odd pauses.—
Jocelyn Gecker,
Los Angeles Times,
28 Apr. 2026
-
Business major Andrea Lui found the chatbot’s voice to be surprisingly human, but the conversation felt choppy with odd pauses.—
Jocelyn Gecker,
Fortune,
23 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
In sixteenth-century Italian pedante comedies, the Latin tutors—always the butt of the joke—are known more for the gaps in their knowledge than for their erudition.—
Clare Bucknell,
The New York Review of Books,
25 Apr. 2026
-
Policymakers, especially here in Tokyo, would be wise to accept more foreign workers to plug labor gaps, but that’s not a durable answer on its own.—
Catherine Thorbecke,
Twin Cities,
25 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Elaborate stages are built for the camera close-ups as much as the crowd, often featuring prefab cinematic interludes, ornately detailed costumes, titillating dance moves and surreal, maximalist graphics.—
Andrea Domanick,
Los Angeles Times,
26 Apr. 2026
-
Jean-Baptiste, who trained as a cellist, arranges his songs—some of which are barely over a minute long—like a chamber cycle punctuated with interludes.—
Emma Madden,
Pitchfork,
14 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Intermissions.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/intermissions. Accessed 1 May. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
