as in pause
a momentary halt in an activity
took a breather from the seemingly endless task of sorting through years of stuff stored in the attic
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Recent Examples of breather
Initiating difficult conversations, and then getting all the way through them, takes planning and practice (and sometimes even a breather).
—
Harvard Business Review, 21 May 2025
Denver has to move on from DeAndre Jordan being a great teammate and find an actual backup center that can give Jokić some kind of breather.
—Zach Harper, New York Times, 19 May 2025
In fact, the stock looked likely to take a breather on Wednesday.
—Paulina Likos, CNBC, 14 May 2025
Humans are typically terrible breathers, if women are in a really tight sports bra, their breathing is going to be even worse.
—Asif Burhan, Forbes.com, 15 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for breather
Harvard Business Review, 21 May 2025
Denver has to move on from DeAndre Jordan being a great teammate and find an actual backup center that can give Jokić some kind of breather.
—Zach Harper, New York Times, 19 May 2025
In fact, the stock looked likely to take a breather on Wednesday.
—Paulina Likos, CNBC, 14 May 2025
Humans are typically terrible breathers, if women are in a really tight sports bra, their breathing is going to be even worse.
—Asif Burhan, Forbes.com, 15 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for breather
Recent Examples of Synonyms for breather
Noun
-
In addition to the hiring freeze, University President Ron Daniels also announced a pause in annual pay increases for employees earning $80,000 or more, a slowing of capital projects by 10% to 20%, and spending cuts for travel, events, food, and supplies.—
Paul Weinstein Jr,
Forbes.com,
7 June 2025
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The pause and the every-other-year scheme have pushed Tarrant County’s next property appraisals to 2027.—
Cody Copeland,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
6 June 2025
Noun
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As the game moved into the second quarter, the Thunder stayed in control as both teams went through a shooting lull.—
Kyle Feldscher,
CNN Money,
5 June 2025
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The labor market lull is a rare opportunity to maximize your relationships with the critical partners who can expand and shift along with you.—
Marissa Geist,
Forbes.com,
4 June 2025
Noun
-
Smith began feeling short of breath during her runs.—
Jordan Greene,
People.com,
4 June 2025
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But the bones – femur, rib, jaw – take her breath away each time.—
Nicole Fallert,
USA Today,
4 June 2025
Noun
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Their subsequent conversation during his break suggests lasting affection on both sides.—
David Rooney,
HollywoodReporter,
9 June 2025
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Anderson’s Asteroid City set the best PSA opening record in some time almost exactly two years ago in June of 2023 with a wide break on the same number of screens, expanding to $9 million in a less competitive market.—
Jill Goldsmith,
Deadline,
8 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“Breather.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/breather. Accessed 17 Jun. 2025.
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