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

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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 From that day forward, the VSFS would embark on a six-year hiatus, only to return in 2024 sans Fantasy Bra. — Christopher Rosa, Glamour, 22 Oct. 2026 Earlier in October, comedian Lilly Singh returned to YouTube after a years-long hiatus, once again creating original content after working in Hollywood. — Alex Weprin, HollywoodReporter, 21 Oct. 2026 Kyedae has been on an indefinite hiatus from streaming since April 2025. — Ct Jones, Rolling Stone, 20 Oct. 2026 For digital nomads or travelers taking a long hiatus from work, finding a destination that’s affordable, safe, and authentically immersive can be a true challenge. — Kristine Hansen, Travel + Leisure, 20 Oct. 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
  • Democrats still have an advantage in voting by mail, but that gap is smaller than in 2022 as more Democrats shift to early in-person voting.
    — A Martínez, NPR, 23 Oct. 2026
  • The sell-off came despite the positive results, underscoring the gap between the treatment's clinical promise and investor expectations for its commercial potential.
    — Annika Kim Constantino, CNBC, 23 Oct. 2026
Definition of gap
Noun
  • In the months that followed, Julian Lage, Joel Paterson, Jad Tarik, and now Seal have stepped in to fill the void in various permutations.
    — Andy Greene, Rolling Stone, 26 Oct. 2026
  • And that’s what makes a player such as Kapanen such a natural fit to step into a massive void left by the team’s captain and conscience.
    — Arpon Basu, New York Times, 24 Oct. 2026
Definition of void
Noun
  • Cheaper lift passes, shorter queues and fewer interruptions on the slopes also sweeten the deal, without compromising on skiing quality.
    — Will Barker, TheWeek, 27 Oct. 2026
  • Still, questions have persisted about who ordered the interruptions to the satellite internet system that Kyiv has relied on for years to counter Moscow's attacks.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 26 Oct. 2026
Definition of interruption
Noun
  • In higher-dimensional gravity, certain black-hole-like objects, such as black strings, can become unstable and fragment.
    — Rupendra Brahambhatt, Interesting Engineering, 25 Oct. 2026
  • Sabbatini played his final six holes in 6-under par, which included his 25-foot eagle putt from the fringe on the par-5 15th hole.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 25 Oct. 2026
Definition of hole
Noun
  • The different categories of wellness providers range from high-intensity interval studios to specialty clinics offering vitamin injections.
    — Fort Worth Star-Telegram, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 22 Oct. 2026
  • Microwave 10 tablespoons of the butter in a large, microwave-safe bowl on HIGH in 15- to 30-second intervals, stirring between each interval, until melted, 30 seconds to 1 minute.
    — Erin Merhar, Southern Living, 22 Oct. 2026
Definition of interval
Noun
  • While older generations may interpret limited eye contact, a flat expression or a pause before responding as rude, lazy or unprofessional, that might not be a younger person’s intent at all, Leahy said.
    — CNN Money, CNN Money, 24 Oct. 2026
  • The pause lasted more than a year, straining cattle supply and contributing to record-high beef prices.
    — Deirdre Bardolf, FOXNews.com, 24 Oct. 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 29 Oct. 2026.

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