Break
Break noun - A momentary halt in an activity.
Usage example: there was a brief break after the first movement as the doors to the concert hall were opened and the latecomers were allowed in
Pause is a synonym for break in stop topic. In some cases you can use "Pause" instead the word "Break" as a noun or a verb, when it comes to topics like interval, duration, continue, interlude. popular alternative
Pause
Pause noun - A momentary halt in an activity.
Usage example: there was a brief pause for applause in her speech
Break is a synonym for pause in stop topic. You can use "Break" instead the word "Pause" as a noun or a verb, if it concerns topics such as duration, continue, wait, interlude. popular alternative
Mutual synonyms
How words are described
| good | good break | good pause |
| nice | nice break | nice pause |
| notable | notable break | notable pause |
| best | best break | best pause |
| Other adjectives: long, brief, short, complete, small, serious, little, slight, quick, new, major, dramatic, momentary, classic, last, several, multiple, lengthy. | ||
Common collocations
Both words in one sentence
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Similarly, the DDR Endless Modes don't let you pause, but at least you get a break every few songs.
Source: Bladder of Steel -
PnF provides a literal example in "Doofapus," where Perry and Doofenshmirtz-as-platypus pause during a fight (and, yes, musical number) for a tea break.
Source: Mid-Battle Tea Break - This is distinct from other RTWP games because it's evident that the designer didn't really intend the pause feature to be useful... for anything other than taking a break.
Source: Real Time with Pause
Cite this Source
Pause and Break. (2016). Retrieved 2026, July 21, from https://thesaurus.plus/related/break/pause
Break & Pause. N.p., 2016. Web. 21 Jul. 2026. <https://thesaurus.plus/related/break/pause>.
Pause or Break. 2016. Accessed July 21, 2026. https://thesaurus.plus/related/break/pause.
Google Ngram Viewer shows how "break" and "pause" have occurred on timeline