parentheses

noun

plural of parenthesis
as in intervals
a break in continuity there was a parenthesis of silence when the microphone momentarily lost power

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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 parentheses All figures in parentheses below are current estimates for those crop years in million bales. — Sj Guest Editorial, Footwear News, 18 Aug. 2026 Irrespective of his death in parentheses, Philip Sidney wielded the two typographical boomerangs with aplomb in his brilliantly stylish and dizzyingly chaotic Arcadia. — Literary Hub, 18 Aug. 2026 Here’s a rundown of other transfers who should make a major impact this season (former schools in parentheses). — Steve Megargee, Chicago Tribune, 12 Aug. 2026 Their ages as of the start of next season are in parentheses. — Zach Harper, New York Times, 4 Aug. 2026 The tutor recognized the expression, asked him to clarify his parentheses, and guided him through a second application of the difference-of-squares pattern. — Ray Ravaglia, Forbes.com, 21 July 2026 Top 10 best malls Here are USA Today readers’ 2026 selections of their favorite malls in the United States with last year’s rank in parentheses. — Howard Cohen, Miami Herald, 15 June 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for parentheses
  1. intervals
  2. interruptions
  3. hiatuses
  4. gaps
  5. pauses
Noun
  • By contrast, Hims ships larger quantities of products at less frequent intervals for a discount.
    — BestReviews, Chicago Tribune, 28 Aug. 2026
  • Korn says that Miller would call at the two hour mark, then 20 minutes later, and in decreasing intervals until Mica was home.
    — CT Jones, Rolling Stone, 26 Aug. 2026
Definition of intervals
Noun
  • Aguas de La Habana, the state utilities company in the capital, issues daily updates to clients on service interruptions caused by electricity cuts or burst pipes.
    — Nora Gámez Torres, Miami Herald, 31 Aug. 2026
  • Continuous operation is particularly important for large facilities, where interruptions can significantly affect production economics and throughput.
    — Bojan Stojkovski, Interesting Engineering, 30 Aug. 2026
Definition of interruptions
Noun
  • Manon Bannerman and Sophia Laforteza are taking separate hiatuses from Katseye; while Bannerman’s status in the group remains unknown, Laforteza’s mental-health break will continue until she’s reassessed in September.
    — Alejandra Gularte, Vulture, 24 Aug. 2026
  • Haircut 100, on the other hand, took some long hiatuses as a band.
    — Christopher Arnott, Hartford Courant, 23 Aug. 2026
Definition of hiatuses
Noun
  • Its 100mm pixel macro lens captures 28 images per second in order to guide the jet to the gaps in your teeth.
    — Jenny Bailly, Allure, 1 Sep. 2026
  • Any business can run into cash-flow gaps — slow seasons, delayed invoice payments or unexpected costs can throw off even the most perfectly balanced budget.
    — Carson Brunson, CNBC, 31 Aug. 2026
Definition of gaps
Noun
  • In response, many cities have introduced data center moratoriums, or temporary pauses on construction, until certain promises have been made.
    — Greta Reich, USA Today, 3 Sep. 2026
  • While safety experts say the companies’ new controls and pauses are a welcome change, some say there’s still more needed.
    — Andrew Nusca, Fortune, 3 Sep. 2026
Definition of pauses

Browse Nearby Words

parented
parentheses
parenthesis
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Cite this Entry

“Parentheses.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/parentheses. Accessed 4 Sep. 2026.

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