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moratorium

moratorium

45 8.5
A temporary official stop of an activity by those in charge
  • noun
  • /ˌmɔːrəˈtɔːriəm/
  • Formal
translation icon : moratoria
  • Due to safety concerns, a moratorium on all public events was implemented across the state.
  • a moratorium on construction
  • impose a moratorium
  • a moratorium on debt

The CDC eviction moratorium just got fully canned.

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Examples

  • The city has declared a moratorium on new construction projects until further notice.

  • Will the moratorium on evictions be extended?

  • Because there is a moratorium on doing this in the US right now.

  • In 1992, the United States ended a nuclear test moratorium.

  • The Central Bank declared a moratorium on most debt payments, and new loans came to a halt.

    Academic text (2008)
  • In 1989, Belgium imposed a moratorium on the construction of nuclear power stations.

    Academic text (1999)
  • India and Pakistan have both declared voluntary moratoriums on further testing.

    Academic text (1999)
  • Internationally, Canada has called for a moratorium on all large-scale driftnet fishing by June 30, 1992.

    Academic text (1992)
  • The Directorate for Nature Management has proposed a temporary moratorium on the issuance of licenses for new salmon farms.

    Academic text (1990)
  • The association, for its part, seeks "a three-year moratorium on clearcut logging in the Hoonah area."

    Academic text (1996)

Synonyms

stop
vsmoratorium
310 1.0

An act when something ends or pauses

is an official temporary suspension rather than any simple cessation
pause
vsmoratorium
192 1.0

A short stop in speaking or activity

is an officially ordered suspension, not just a brief break
to freeze
vsmoratorium
  • Formal
154 5.3

Officially stop an activity, for example the use of money or assets

is a formal legal halt that applies to activities beyond assets
suspension
vsmoratorium
70 4.3

A temporary stop of an activity or service

is a legally backed temporary stop rather than a neutral interruption
hiatus
vsmoratorium
34 6.3

A pause in an activity or series that is usually temporary

is a formal legal suspension rather than a general gap in continuity
moratory
vsmoratorium
  • Formal
1 9.9

An official temporary delay of payment or legal duty

is an official legal suspension rather than an informal delay

Antonyms

56 3.6

An act of something keeping going without stopping

13 5.6

To start something again after it stopped

How Complete

to ban
  • Formal
484 1.4
moratorium
  • Formal
45 8.5
suspension
70 4.3
pause
192 1.0

Surface Forms

moratorium singular
moratoriums plural
moratoria plural

Etymology

Moratorium comes from the Latin root mora, which means 'delay' or 'pause', so a moratorium is an official or legal 'pause' and a temporary stopping of an activity.