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
The recently paused hepatitis B trial has similarly been likened to this stain on American history.
—
Uzma Rentia, STAT, 27 Apr. 2026
From there, the group paused the round and pulled up a livestream to watch the pick come through officially.
—Amber Harding Outkick, FOXNews.com, 27 Apr. 2026
Though active hostilities have paused for the moment, the conflict has already exacted a tragic toll on combatants and civilians alike, threatened global stability and underscored in stark relief the grim reality of war.
—William E. Lori, New York Daily News, 26 Apr. 2026
The gusts progressively grew stronger, knocking over planters and forcing food vendors to close up shop early, until the festival itself was paused and performers were ushered offstage.
—Charisma Madarang, Rolling Stone, 26 Apr. 2026
Tehran has insisted that the fighting in Lebanon remain paused as a precondition for further peace talks with the United States.
—Npr Staff, NPR, 25 Apr. 2026
Chapa paused for a moment and laughed.
—Scott M. Reid, Oc Register, 25 Apr. 2026
Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac have paused new deals and private investors have stopped lending.
—Nathaniel Meyersohn, CNN Money, 24 Apr. 2026
The latest effort to broker a deal comes as an indefinite ceasefire has paused most fighting, but economic fallout is still mounting with global energy shipments disrupted by the closure of the Strait of Hormuz.
—ABC News, 24 Apr. 2026
Uzma Rentia, STAT, 27 Apr. 2026
From there, the group paused the round and pulled up a livestream to watch the pick come through officially.
—Amber Harding Outkick, FOXNews.com, 27 Apr. 2026
Though active hostilities have paused for the moment, the conflict has already exacted a tragic toll on combatants and civilians alike, threatened global stability and underscored in stark relief the grim reality of war.
—William E. Lori, New York Daily News, 26 Apr. 2026
The gusts progressively grew stronger, knocking over planters and forcing food vendors to close up shop early, until the festival itself was paused and performers were ushered offstage.
—Charisma Madarang, Rolling Stone, 26 Apr. 2026
Tehran has insisted that the fighting in Lebanon remain paused as a precondition for further peace talks with the United States.
—Npr Staff, NPR, 25 Apr. 2026
Chapa paused for a moment and laughed.
—Scott M. Reid, Oc Register, 25 Apr. 2026
Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac have paused new deals and private investors have stopped lending.
—Nathaniel Meyersohn, CNN Money, 24 Apr. 2026
The latest effort to broker a deal comes as an indefinite ceasefire has paused most fighting, but economic fallout is still mounting with global energy shipments disrupted by the closure of the Strait of Hormuz.
—ABC News, 24 Apr. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for paused
hesitated
Verb
-
As of last month, that number was about 3 million as employees hesitated to quit at a time when job searches can drag on for months.—
Marco Quiroz-Gutierrez,
Fortune,
17 Apr. 2026
-
Dean Kim, master baker and founder of OC Baking Company, said that Schwarz was the kind of chef who never hesitated to show up for others.—
Brock Keeling,
Oc Register,
9 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Paused.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/paused. Accessed 2 May. 2026.
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