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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1
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of reprieve
Blake Bakkila, Architectural Digest, 15 Apr. 2026
Above them the inscription records that the contest was a draw; both have been granted a reprieve.
—Literary Hub, 15 Apr. 2026
Jasmine Ting, Condé Nast Traveler, 30 Sep. 2025
Trump has since given TikTok three more extensions as his administration tried to broker a deal for ByteDance to divest and U.S. companies to take control — a series of reprieves that legal experts have questioned.
—John Ruwitch, NPR, 19 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for reprieve
Noun
The angled back is just the right amount of reclined, while the vibrant color is a refreshing reprieve from the season’s verdant landscape.
—Blake Bakkila, Architectural Digest, 15 Apr. 2026
Above them the inscription records that the contest was a draw; both have been granted a reprieve.
—Literary Hub, 15 Apr. 2026
Verb
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
Trump has since given TikTok three more extensions as his administration tried to broker a deal for ByteDance to divest and U.S. companies to take control — a series of reprieves that legal experts have questioned.
—John Ruwitch, NPR, 19 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for reprieve
Recent Examples of Synonyms for reprieve
Noun
-
Scott will be 25 years old as a rookie, which gives the pairing some pause, but the Bills are currently without a backup nickel at this point.—
Joe Buscaglia,
New York Times,
25 Apr. 2026
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And while the country experiences spectacular sunsets thanks to its varied landscapes, west-facing coast, and wide ocean views, few spots are as perfect for a momentary pause to watch the sun go down as in Lisbon.—
Stacey Leasca,
Travel + Leisure,
25 Apr. 2026
Noun
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Mateuz was serving a sentence of life in prison with a chance of parole after an August 2008 Los Angeles County conviction of assault with a firearm as a third-striker, use of a firearm and an enhancement of a street gang act in the commission of a violent felony, according to CDCR.—
Rosalio Ahumada,
Sacbee.com,
23 Apr. 2026
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Senate Bill 26-158, introduced in early April, would allow the parole board to approve releases if the governor does not act for 60 days on a program graduate’s application for early parole, opening up a new route through which program graduates could be freed.—
Shelly Bradbury,
Denver Post,
23 Apr. 2026
Verb
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He was later pardoned and won election for president as a socialist in 1999.—
Ana Goñi-Lessan,
Miami Herald,
20 Apr. 2026
-
In the case of the GMT, the seven primary mirrors are mirrored, pardon the pun, by seven smaller secondary mirrors that are deformable.—
Keith Cooper,
Space.com,
17 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Supporters’ contributions help change students’ lives by relieving financial burdens, augmenting the resources that support student learning inside and outside the classroom, the release said.—
Post-Tribune,
Chicago Tribune,
19 Apr. 2026
-
Jade's Aunt Tandra Brus was relieved.—
Betsy Shuller,
CBS News,
19 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
That means fewer interruptions and a smoother flow.—
Kurt Knutsson,
FOXNews.com,
21 Apr. 2026
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Federal research grants have started to flow again, after major interruptions over the past several months.—
Caleb Hellerman,
CNN Money,
20 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Trump previously gave these members of extremist groups commutations instead of full pardons.—
Brittney Melton,
NPR,
16 Apr. 2026
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And the punishment must be carried out within 90 days of sentencing without any possibility for pardons or commutations.—
Matt Bradley,
NBC news,
1 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Liman’s decision dropped Lively’s claims of harassment, defamation and conspiracy, meaning the trial will now center on alleged breach of contract and retaliation by Wayfarer and aiding and abetting retaliation by the PR firm working for Baldoni.—
Hilary Lewis,
HollywoodReporter,
20 Apr. 2026
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While the sales increases in some cases were aided by tax incentives and new emissions rules, the figures point to how global fleets are rapidly electrifying in response to the war in Iran.—
Jeronimo Gonzalez,
semafor.com,
20 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
After that, global income is fully taxable, a sharp break from the previous system that allowed wealth to remain offshore indefinitely.—
Emma Graham,Sawdah Bhaimiya,
CNBC,
21 Apr. 2026
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The first day of New York City public school will be unusually late this fall, according to the official 2026-27 school year calendar released Tuesday — forcing families to scramble for child care at the end of summer break.—
Cayla Bamberger,
New York Daily News,
21 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Reprieve.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/reprieve. Accessed 26 Apr. 2026.
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