hiatus

noun

hī-ˈā-təs How to pronounce hiatus (audio)
Definition of hiatusnext
1
as in gap
an open space in a barrier (as a wall or hedge) steam was rising from a hiatus in the ground

Synonyms & Similar Words

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2
as in void
an incomplete or deficient area a hiatus in the law which prevented the district attorney from prosecuting the offenders

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in interruption
a break in continuity a three-year hiatus before the fifth book in the series appeared

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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 hiatus Savannah took a long hiatus from her hosting job at Today during the initial search for her mom. — Leigh Blickley, Entertainment Weekly, 26 Aug. 2026 Čaládi was watching from afar during a one-year hiatus with another Slovakian team, HK Dukla Michalovce, but will return as HK Nitra’s new coach for the coming season. — Vincent Z. Mercogliano, New York Times, 26 Aug. 2026 While the group continues to explode in popularity, KATSEYE is making news in recent months just as much for the volatility of its lineup, with multiple members going on hiatus. — Lyndsey Havens, Billboard, 25 Aug. 2026 Hence the band’s current hiatus—and Mandy’s current solo reemergence. — Arsenio Orteza, SPIN, 24 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for hiatus
Recent Examples of Synonyms for hiatus
  1. gap
  2. void
  3. interruption
  4. hole
  5. interval
  6. pause
Noun
  • Hydrolyzed keratin, meanwhile, fills in the gaps in the cuticle by improving elasticity and damage caused by daily styling, heat, and environmental stressors.
    — Madison San Miguel, Allure, 5 Sep. 2026
  • Closing a gap in naval defenses The growing use of inexpensive drones has created a significant challenge for naval forces.
    — Atharva Gosavi, Interesting Engineering, 4 Sep. 2026
Definition of gap
Noun
  • Van Noy, 35, will fill a major void for the Vikings as depth behind starting edge rushers Andrew Van Ginkel and Dallas Turner.
    — Alec Lewis, New York Times, 2 Sep. 2026
  • The result is an enigmatic relationship between figure and ground, mass and void.
    — Katy Barkan, Artforum, 1 Sep. 2026
Definition of void
Noun
  • Kamayan, the acclaimed Filipino restaurant on Buford Highway, moved to a new space next door to its original location but never experienced an interruption of service, so it is not included in the list of new openings below.
    — Henri Hollis, AJC.com, 1 Sep. 2026
  • Across the country, others might be meeting the work requirements but miss the notice to renew in the mail and as a result, experience an interruption in coverage.
    — Abdullah Shihipar, STAT, 1 Sep. 2026
Definition of interruption
Noun
  • McIlroy surged into the top-10 on Saturday with a 7-under 63, powered by nine birdies, including three in his final four holes.
    — Gabby Herzig, New York Times, 30 Aug. 2026
  • The researchers engineered an additional GaN layer that naturally creates a second sheet containing mobile holes, called a two-dimensional hole gas, or 2DHG.
    — Rupendra Brahambhatt, Interesting Engineering, 30 Aug. 2026
Definition of hole
Noun
  • Athena logged peak penetration rates exceeding 350 feet per hour and sustained over 130 feet per hour through long intervals.
    — Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 4 Sep. 2026
  • That posting also got questions about the 40-month intervals, as well as blowback for the reminder of the passage of time.
    — Mike Snider, USA Today, 2 Sep. 2026
Definition of interval
Noun
  • The Appalachian Trail Conservancy defines a thru-hike as completing all of the trail’s sections in any order within a year, allowing for pauses.
    — Holly Ramer, Los Angeles Times, 31 Aug. 2026
  • This summer's pause in data reporting for Somalia came at a particularly precarious time.
    — Durrie Bouscaren, NPR, 31 Aug. 2026
Definition of pause

Browse Nearby Words

heydays
hiatus
hiatuses
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Cite this Entry

“Hiatus.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/hiatus. Accessed 5 Sep. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on hiatus

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about hiatus

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