Definition, Meaning & Synonyms
aposiopesis
Noun
/ˌæpəˌsaɪəˈpiːsɪs/
Definition
A sudden breaking off in the middle of a sentence, often due to emotion or the speaker’s unwillingness to continue.
Examples
- I was going to tell you that I really… never mind.
- When I saw him, I thought, ‘What on earth are you doing here? I can’t believe you would…’
- You should have seen her face when she realized she was… well, you know.
Meaning
Aposiopesis is an unfinished thought or a dramatic pause that allows the speaker to convey their feelings without completing their statement.
Synonyms
- Ellipsis
- Suspended sentence
- Incomplete thought
