REPRIEVE Synonyms: 137 Similar and Opposite Words

reprieve 1 of 2

noun

Definition of reprieve

as in pause

a temporary halt in an activity or condition The pool offered a welcome reprieve from the heat.

Related Words

Relevance

Dissimilar Words

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.

Related Words

Dissimilar Words

reprieve

2 of 2

verb

as in to pardon

Related Words

pardon

Dissimilar Words

as in to relieve

Related Words

Dissimilar Words

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

The Texas Board of Pardons and Paroles on Monday voted against commuting Norman’s sentence to a lesser penalty or recommending a 90-day reprieve of execution. — ABC News, 16 Sep. 2026 The Texas Board of Pardons and Paroles on Monday voted against commuting Norman's sentence to a lesser penalty or recommending a 90-day reprieve of execution. — CBS News, 16 Sep. 2026

Verb

The sanction reprieves are aimed at easing oil prices by at least temporarily boosting supply. — Joe Walsh, CBS News, 20 Mar. 2026 Then, Bill Clinton offered 11th-hour reprieves to his half brother Roger and Democrat superdonor Marc Rich. — Willem Marx, Vanity Fair, 18 Feb. 2026 See All Example Sentences for reprieve

Recent Examples of Synonyms for reprieve

Noun

Lawrence has widened his aim to the entire AI industry, calling for a pause on AI development in the wake of fears from some at the companies that the technology could eliminate humanity.

— ABC News, ABC News, 19 Sep. 2026
Wade said the massive makeover by the Heat, in contrast, likely created pause for his former Heat teammate.

— Ira Winderman, Sun Sentinel, 19 Sep. 2026

Definition of pause

Noun

But then on Thursday, a felony arrest warrant was filed for Shrine for alleged violation of post-release community supervision, a type of supervised release similar to parole, in Contra Costa County.

— Clara Harter, Los Angeles Times, 23 Sep. 2026
Harris County prosecutors also accused Gilley's Italian attorney, Monica Grosso, of misleading the Turin Court of Appeal by telling it that commutation is impossible for someone sentenced to life without parole.

— Adam Sabes, FOXNews.com, 22 Sep. 2026

Definition of parole

Verb

Israeli President Isaac Herzog pardoned a soldier who shot and killed an incapacitated Palestinian attacker in the occupied West Bank in 2016, despite opposition from the military’s chief of staff.

— Oren Liebermann, CNN Money, 20 Sep. 2026
After the verdict, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu called for Azaria to be pardoned.

— Cara Anna, Los Angeles Times, 20 Sep. 2026

Definition of pardon

Verb

These adaptogenics also cost as much, if not more, than alcoholic spirits, such as Three Spirit, which incorporates ingredients such as guayusa (stimulating effects), damiana (aphrodisiac effects) and valerian (stress-relieving effects).

— Esther Tseng, Bon Appetit Magazine, 21 Sep. 2026
Its occlusive formula can, however, relieve serious dryness, making rough texture feel smoother and less pronounced.

— Christa Joanna Lee, Allure, 19 Sep. 2026

Definition of relieve

Noun

Practitioners describe them as brief interruptions in familiar patterns.

— Hanna Wickes, Kansas City Star, 22 Sep. 2026
If a facility had successfully operated through years of storms without interruption, many organizations considered their risk profile well understood.

— Patty Templeton-Jones, Forbes.com, 18 Sep. 2026

Definition of interruption

Noun

But advocates are unsure whether Newsom, who is considering a run for president in 2028, would risk the backlash a mass commutation would probably bring.

— Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 8 Sep. 2026
The president has broad authority to issue pardons and commutations, but the power is strictly limited to federal offenses.

— ABC News, ABC News, 8 Sep. 2026

Definition of commutation

Verb

Oilers general manager Stan Bowman mentioned Formenton’s penalty-killing ability as a key reason for the signing, but the blazing speed may also have aided in the decision.

— Allan Mitchell, New York Times, 16 Sep. 2026
The California Coastal Commission has posted an interactive map of cleanup locations to aid volunteers in finding cleanup locations.

— Alison Gibson, Sacbee.com, 16 Sep. 2026

Definition of aid

Noun

For starters, Drive’s dreamy and unabashed aestheticism represented a break from the rougher, more visceral films on which Winding Refn had built his reputation.

— Bilge Ebiri, Vulture, 18 Sep. 2026
The Pentagon’s policy breaks from that approach, requiring testosterone screening for all male personnel 30 and older and allowing younger members also to request screenings.

— ABC News, ABC News, 18 Sep. 2026

Definition of break

Browse Nearby Words

repressive

reprieve

reprieved

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Cite this Entry

Style

“Reprieve.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/reprieve. Accessed 25 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of reprieve

noun

verb

Example Sentences

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