reprieve 1 of 2

noun

Definition of reprievenext
1
as in pause
a temporary halt in an activity or condition The pool offered a welcome reprieve from the heat.

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2
as in parole
law a temporary release from the obligation to serve punishment for a crime The judge ordered a reprieve of the execution so the accused would have time to appeal the decision.

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reprieve

2 of 2

verb

1
as in to pardon

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2
as in to relieve

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Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of reprieve
Noun
Raven ended a years-long reprieve from public life by using metaphorical interpretations of water and emergence to lay out the importance of intentional solitude. — Lawrence Burney, Pitchfork, 16 July 2026 The testing was inconclusive and Duckett's reprieve expired July 11. — Amanda Lee Myers, USA Today, 16 July 2026
Verb
In a gift to pharma, the bill broadened reprieves to drugs that treat rare conditions. — Lisa Jarvis, Mercury News, 10 Oct. 2025 Aside from the offerings of the market itself, the square is also lined with many shops, boutiques, and department stores that provide plenty of options for visitors, as well as indoor reprieves from the cold. — Jasmine Ting, Condé Nast Traveler, 30 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for reprieve
Recent Examples of Synonyms for reprieve
  1. pause
  2. parole
  3. pardon
  4. relieve
  5. interruption
  6. commutation
  7. aid
  8. break
Noun
  • Long way to go Reportedly, ZeroAvia faced financial constraints that forced a recent workforce reduction and the pause of its in-house electric propulsion and ZA600 powertrain developments.
    — Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 20 July 2026
  • That order could keep the merger on pause indefinitely while the litigation moves forward, which means it could be paused for years, unless an appeals court overrules her.
    — Alison Durkee, Forbes.com, 20 July 2026
Definition of pause
Noun
  • While on parole in 2020 from the Kern County conviction, Stout was arrested on suspicion of driving under the influence near Upper Bidwell Park, District Attorney Mike Ramsey said at a news conference following Stout’s July 25, 2024, arrest.
    — Rosalio Ahumada, Sacbee.com, 24 July 2026
  • Lastly, the judge will decide whether to sentence him to life with the possibility of parole or life without parole.
    — Isabel Rosales, CNN Money, 24 July 2026
Definition of parole
Verb
  • He was later captured in New York City, tried and sentenced to life in prison for the crime, only to be pardoned in 1928.
    — John Moritz, Hartford Courant, 20 July 2026
  • Trump later pardoned or commuted the sentences of virtually all defendants involved in the riot.
    — Kevin Breuninger, CNBC, 16 July 2026
Definition of pardon
Verb
  • Their teammates ran over the join them in a group hug, relieved to be back in the game.
    — Michelle Kaufman, Miami Herald, 23 July 2026
  • Following the decision, Wilson thanked the court for considering the evidence and said she was relieved that the proceedings had concluded.
    — Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 22 July 2026
Definition of relieve
Noun
  • The robot immediately responds to the interruption and halts the operation, illustrating Unitree’s focus on continuous human-robot interaction and dynamic task adaptation.
    — Jijo Malayil, Interesting Engineering, 21 July 2026
  • The money sits in the business interruption and the extra expense, the long dead stretch while a specialised transformer or a particular chip waits on an 18-month backorder.
    — Dara-Abasi Ita, Forbes.com, 20 July 2026
Definition of interruption
Noun
  • The recantations and confession probably contributed to Smith’s commutation.
    — Edmund H. Mahony, Hartford Courant, 19 July 2026
  • Interim Ohio Republican Attorney General Andy Wilson expressed relief that DeWine didn't choose to use commutations and that his office will continue working to uphold the current law.
    — CBS News, CBS News, 18 June 2026
Definition of commutation
Verb
  • In an interview posted by the business daily RBC, Wildberries founder Tatyana Kim said her company was discussing the possibility of tax relief and other measures with Russia authorities to aid sellers affected by attacks.
    — Nathan Hodge, CNN Money, 23 July 2026
  • Skywatchers should look north during the darkest hours; smartphone cameras can aid in detecting faint glows.
    — Jamie Carter, Forbes.com, 23 July 2026
Definition of aid
Noun
  • Denis Bouanga scored two goals, Son Heung-min scored in his third consecutive match since the World Cup break, and Los Angeles FC thrashed Sporting Kansas City 4-0 on Saturday night for its fourth consecutive victory.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 26 July 2026
  • After going three months without an MLS goal, Son scored for a third consecutive league match since the World Cup break, putting LAFC ahead in the fifth minute.
    — Josh Gross, Daily News, 26 July 2026
Definition of break

Browse Nearby Words

repressive
reprieve
reprieved
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Cite this Entry

“Reprieve.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/reprieve. Accessed 27 Jul. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on reprieve

Nglish: Translation of reprieve for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about reprieve

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