1
as in pauses
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 commutations
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
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of reprieves
James Rainey, Los Angeles Times, 27 Mar. 2026
The sanction reprieves are aimed at easing oil prices by at least temporarily boosting supply.
—Joe Walsh, CBS News, 20 Mar. 2026
One of those reprieves came only hours before.
—Kevin Grasha, Cincinnati Enquirer, 6 Mar. 2026
Another 17 inmates so far are scheduled to be put to death this year, including a woman in Tennessee, though that number will change significantly as governors approve more death warrants or inmates win reprieves.
—Amanda Lee Myers, USA Today, 29 Jan. 2026
She was granted several reprieves under the Biden administration but was arrested at her workplace in March.
—Seth Klamann, Denver Post, 22 Dec. 2025
If moments like that suggest that Bigelow weaves in occasional reprieves from the anxiety, that’s not the case.
—David Rooney, HollywoodReporter, 2 Sep. 2025
Newsom has issued 247 pardons, 160 commutations and 42 reprieves since taking office, his office said.
—Daniel Lempres, Sacbee.com, 31 Aug. 2025
Noun
The French dip haven (which maintains a friendly rivalry with Philippe the Original downtown over who invented the sandwich) has seen late reprieves before.
—James Rainey, Los Angeles Times, 27 Mar. 2026
The sanction reprieves are aimed at easing oil prices by at least temporarily boosting supply.
—Joe Walsh, CBS News, 20 Mar. 2026
One of those reprieves came only hours before.
—Kevin Grasha, Cincinnati Enquirer, 6 Mar. 2026
Another 17 inmates so far are scheduled to be put to death this year, including a woman in Tennessee, though that number will change significantly as governors approve more death warrants or inmates win reprieves.
—Amanda Lee Myers, USA Today, 29 Jan. 2026
She was granted several reprieves under the Biden administration but was arrested at her workplace in March.
—Seth Klamann, Denver Post, 22 Dec. 2025
If moments like that suggest that Bigelow weaves in occasional reprieves from the anxiety, that’s not the case.
—David Rooney, HollywoodReporter, 2 Sep. 2025
Newsom has issued 247 pardons, 160 commutations and 42 reprieves since taking office, his office said.
—Daniel Lempres, Sacbee.com, 31 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for reprieves
Noun
-
To travel just one meter, these fish require an average of 30 to 60 seconds of movement, along with eight to nine short pauses and nine one-hour rests on horizontal ledges along their route, according to Phys.—
Maria Mocerino,
Interesting Engineering,
5 Apr. 2026
-
The months of rehab, setbacks and pauses took their toll on the living legend.—
Joseph Dycus,
Mercury News,
5 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
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
-
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
Verb
-
Being the president and all, Richard pardons himself and Jenny.—
Allison DeGrushe,
Entertainment Weekly,
20 Feb. 2026
-
Trump pardons 5 former NFL stars for wide-ranging crimes.—
,
FOXNews.com,
13 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
This relieves lower back pressure and helps the spine settle into its natural curve.—
Allison Palmer,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
9 Apr. 2026
-
This reduces swelling and temporarily relieves congestion.—
Jessica Swirble,
Verywell Health,
7 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Lawmakers say the funding ensures the 460,000 public employees, retirees and dependents who access health care through the Group Insurance Commission (GIC) face no interruptions to their coverage.—
Tim Dunn,
Boston Herald,
7 Apr. 2026
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Experts attribute the interruptions to supply chain disruptions and a surge in demand, tied in part to panic buying.—
April 2,
CBS News,
2 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Google releases Gemma 4 open weight model.—
Jeremy Kahn,
Fortune,
7 Apr. 2026
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Netflix releases the film in IMAX theaters on November 26 and it will be globally released on Netflix Christmas Day.—
Mike Fleming Jr,
Deadline,
7 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
While Singh’s lawyer Jitender Khurana denies any political motive for his client’s paroles, his previous releases coincided with crucial state elections, fueling speculation that his freedom is a reward for the Dera’s electoral support.—
Rhea Mogul,
CNN Money,
6 Feb. 2026
-
Discretionary paroles have also plummeted.—
Shaun Boyd,
CBS News,
27 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
This element aids the MEU with support such as medical and dental assistance, motor transport, supply, equipment maintenance and landings.—
George Petras,
USA Today,
18 Mar. 2026
-
Sleep aids all work to help relax your body and improve your sleep in different ways.—
Kirstyn Hill,
Health,
13 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Reprieves.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/reprieves. Accessed 11 Apr. 2026.
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