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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Dissimilar Words
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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Dissimilar Words
1
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of reprieve
The Week Uk, TheWeek, 17 Feb. 2026
Although farmers combated the fungus with a shift to supposedly resistant robusta crops in the 1950s, the reprieve was short-lived.
—Lily Peck, The Conversation, 17 Feb. 2026
Richard Sutcliffe, New York Times, 13 Aug. 2025
President Donald Trump introduced last-minute stumbling blocks for several nations seeking reprieves on trade before his reciprocal tariffs begin to go into effect just after midnight.
—Francesca Chambers, USA Today, 31 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for reprieve
Noun
This was, however, only a temporary reprieve for Vladimir Putin’s most vocal and effective critic.
—The Week Uk, TheWeek, 17 Feb. 2026
Although farmers combated the fungus with a shift to supposedly resistant robusta crops in the 1950s, the reprieve was short-lived.
—Lily Peck, The Conversation, 17 Feb. 2026
Verb
Has Ollie Palmer just earned himself the most unlikely of Wrexham reprieves?
—Richard Sutcliffe, New York Times, 13 Aug. 2025
President Donald Trump introduced last-minute stumbling blocks for several nations seeking reprieves on trade before his reciprocal tariffs begin to go into effect just after midnight.
—Francesca Chambers, USA Today, 31 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for reprieve
Recent Examples of Synonyms for reprieve
Noun
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But invading the second biggest country in Europe, after Russia itself, would be a potentially catastrophic prospect which would, surely, give a cold strategist like Putin pause for thought.—
Matthew Chance,
CNN Money,
21 Feb. 2026
-
Mother Nature is about to put the recent spring-like warmth across Central Texas on pause this weekend.—
Mary Wasson,
Austin American Statesman,
21 Feb. 2026
Noun
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DeAngelo – now 80 years old – was convicted in 2020 and is serving a sentence of life without parole.—
Andy Rose,
CNN Money,
19 Feb. 2026
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He will be sentenced to life without the possibility of parole, according to the Sonoma County District Attorney's Office.—
Nadine El-Bawab,
ABC News,
19 Feb. 2026
Verb
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The case was dismissed in December 2023 after then-President Joe Biden pardoned Saab as part of a prisoner exchange with the Venezuelan government.—
Antonio María Delgado,
Miami Herald,
17 Feb. 2026
-
The White House did not return a request for comment Thursday night on why Trump, an avid sports fan, pardoned the players.—
Seung Min Kim,
Chicago Tribune,
13 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Brett Crossland came on to relieve Volantis and generated three quick ground balls for a clean inning.—
David Eckert,
Austin American Statesman,
22 Feb. 2026
-
By this time, both Ono and Lennon had found a form of relief in primal scream therapy, the psychological methodology that purports to relieve repressed pain through its intense expression.—
Sadie Sartini Garner,
Pitchfork,
21 Feb. 2026
Noun
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That led to a 10-minute interruption at the Estadio da Luz, with referee Francois Letexier crossing his arms to signal that racist abuse had been reported by Vinicius.—
Philip Buckingham,
New York Times,
18 Feb. 2026
-
Applause between movements meant to be heard without interruption is a growing distraction around here.—
Scott Cantrell,
Dallas Morning News,
18 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Alan Jackson, the celebrity legal eagle, doesn’t recommend clients entrust their social media accounts to third parties —even if those clients crave commutations.—
Andrew Zucker,
HollywoodReporter,
13 Feb. 2026
-
Trump has not ruled out the possibility of granting Maxwell a pardon or commutation.—
Alexandra Banner,
CNN Money,
10 Feb. 2026
Verb
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The new breakthrough could ultimately help avert the worst effects of climate change by aiding in the transition to renewable fuels.—
Chris Young,
Interesting Engineering,
23 Feb. 2026
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These sequences of process and investigation are captured with all the verve and nerve-wracking tension of a slick spy thriller, aided by a detailed, thundering soundscape sure to leave you on edge.—
Siddhant Adlakha,
Variety,
23 Feb. 2026
Noun
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Fears made three three-pointers in the first half and Michigan State took a 43-23 lead into the break.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
18 Feb. 2026
-
Fears made three 3-pointers in the first half and Michigan State took a 43-23 lead into the break.—
Daily News,
Daily News,
18 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Reprieve.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/reprieve. Accessed 25 Feb. 2026.
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