as in pauses
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 breathers
For both air breathers and water breathers, many chemicals in crude oil target the heart and respiratory function, the immune system, the sensory system and the central nervous system.
—
Asuka Koda, CNN Money, 17 Apr. 2026
Mouth breathers tend to carry their head forward to open the airway, a subtle shift that can become its own habitual pattern.
—Allison Palmer, Miami Herald, 25 Mar. 2026
Lopez or Joseph-Day would be a rotational run-stuffing nose tackle who could allow Walker to get some breathers or line up elsewhere.
—Joe Buscaglia, New York Times, 6 Mar. 2026
Its one-take formula is made to break you — there are no breathers, the intensity simply keeps building to its apex.
—Maggie Fremont, Vulture, 11 Dec. 2025
One is called the 'wonderful whimsy,' (with) fire breathers, jugglers, tarot card readers.
—Tony Peterson, CBS News, 10 Dec. 2025
Asuka Koda, CNN Money, 17 Apr. 2026
Mouth breathers tend to carry their head forward to open the airway, a subtle shift that can become its own habitual pattern.
—Allison Palmer, Miami Herald, 25 Mar. 2026
Lopez or Joseph-Day would be a rotational run-stuffing nose tackle who could allow Walker to get some breathers or line up elsewhere.
—Joe Buscaglia, New York Times, 6 Mar. 2026
Its one-take formula is made to break you — there are no breathers, the intensity simply keeps building to its apex.
—Maggie Fremont, Vulture, 11 Dec. 2025
One is called the 'wonderful whimsy,' (with) fire breathers, jugglers, tarot card readers.
—Tony Peterson, CBS News, 10 Dec. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for breathers
Noun
-
The calculation does not include pauses or responses directed to the speaker.—
Ginny Monk,
Hartford Courant,
1 June 2026
-
Student loan payment pauses get harder The OBBBA also phases out some relief options for student loan borrowers who become unemployed or are dealing with an economic hardship.—
Annie Nova,
CNBC,
31 May 2026
Noun
-
Yes, there were lulls, to be sure.—
Dalton Ross,
Entertainment Weekly,
22 May 2026
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The quality, however, doesn’t make for a pleasant viewing experience, especially during lulls in the season like the one the Dodgers are currently battling through.—
Maddie Lee,
Los Angeles Times,
13 May 2026
Noun
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Take 30 to 40 deep cyclical breaths, inhaling fully into the belly and chest, exhaling without force.—
Allison Palmer,
Kansas City Star,
28 May 2026
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The core technique involves 30 to 40 deep cyclical breaths followed by a breath hold, repeated for three to four rounds over roughly 10 to 15 minutes.—
Allison Palmer,
Miami Herald,
28 May 2026
Noun
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Options for breaks, movement, flexibility, and sensory regulation can make participation more possible.—
Jennifer Jay Palumbo,
Forbes.com,
30 May 2026
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Sales tax breaks for the Lambda project The Lambda project is expected to receive sales tax breaks through the state.—
Chris Higgins,
Kansas City Star,
30 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Breathers.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/breathers. Accessed 7 Jun. 2026.
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