as in break
a short period of time when you are able to stop doing something that is difficult or unpleasant or when something difficult or unpleasant stops or is delayed
The weekend provided a nice respite from the pressures of her job. a temporary respite
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Recent Examples of respite
Martin mentioned the national anthem as a brief respite.
—
Alec Lewis, New York Times, 24 Sep. 2025
Each week, more than 300 people, many with moderate to severe disabilities, benefit from services such as the Adult Day Program, School-Age Program, equestrian therapy, in-home respite care and vocational training.
—Ut Community Press, San Diego Union-Tribune, 23 Sep. 2025
The building will also allow the Salvation Army to expand its respite care program to 20 beds.
—La Risa R. Lynch, jsonline.com, 23 Sep. 2025
However, in the big picture, the three-hour game provided a bit of a respite from what was a tough week for the Keller Indians’ football family.
—Cody Thorn, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 20 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for respite
Alec Lewis, New York Times, 24 Sep. 2025
Each week, more than 300 people, many with moderate to severe disabilities, benefit from services such as the Adult Day Program, School-Age Program, equestrian therapy, in-home respite care and vocational training.
—Ut Community Press, San Diego Union-Tribune, 23 Sep. 2025
The building will also allow the Salvation Army to expand its respite care program to 20 beds.
—La Risa R. Lynch, jsonline.com, 23 Sep. 2025
However, in the big picture, the three-hour game provided a bit of a respite from what was a tough week for the Keller Indians’ football family.
—Cody Thorn, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 20 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for respite
Recent Examples of Synonyms for respite
Noun
-
Shore break occurs when waves break directly on the beach.—
NC Weather Bot,
Charlotte Observer,
6 Oct. 2025
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The center will be open during Alverno's summer and winter breaks and fees will still apply, Steiner said.—
Gina Lee Castro,
jsonline.com,
6 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
The funding pause leaves many new homeowners in high-flood risk areas scrambling for protection and could halt the processing of current damage claims.—
Tamia Fowlkes,
jsonline.com,
6 Oct. 2025
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Contrast that with Robert Lewandowski, whose stutter, pause, judder, wait for the ’keeper to dive and then place it wide of the post didn’t work for Barcelona during their surprise defeat away to Sevilla a few hours later.—
Tim Spiers,
New York Times,
6 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
To top it all off, the in-game lulls that have plagued the Bills’ offense at times followed them once again.—
The Athletic NFL Staff,
New York Times,
6 Oct. 2025
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Though Israeli forces will continue to encircle Gaza City, this lull in combat operations is intended to allow Hamas members to locate the 48 remaining hostages, the Israeli military said, with fewer than half of those estimated to be still alive.—
Willem Marx,
NPR,
4 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Respite.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/respite. Accessed 8 Oct. 2025.
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