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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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
Camilo Montoya-Galvez, CBS News, 20 May 2026
Extradition requests typically drag on for months, sometimes years, as those targeted seek reprieves from Mexican courts.
—Kate Linthicum, Los Angeles Times, 30 Apr. 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
But those protections are issued alongside deportation orders and technically allow for those granted the reprieves to be deported to any other third country.
—Camilo Montoya-Galvez, CBS News, 20 May 2026
Extradition requests typically drag on for months, sometimes years, as those targeted seek reprieves from Mexican courts.
—Kate Linthicum, Los Angeles Times, 30 Apr. 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
-
Anthropic, one of OpenAI’s top competitors, has proposed mechanisms for coordinating pauses on advanced AI development if systems become too powerful.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
6 June 2026
-
Anthropic, one of OpenAI’s top competitors, has proposed mechanisms for coordinating pauses on advanced AI development if systems become too powerful.—
Joey Cappelletti,
Fortune,
5 June 2026
Noun
-
In fact, sentencing commutations already can require a defendant to pay existing financial penalties while reducing or eliminating other aspects of a sentence, such as prison time.—
Robert Radick,
Forbes.com,
1 June 2026
-
The Tribune has reviewed the names of people who have received pardons or commutations going back to the 1950s.—
Kori Rumore,
Chicago Tribune,
29 May 2026
Verb
-
Trump pardons ex-Republican congressman.—
Jay Stahl,
USA Today,
7 June 2026
-
President Kennedy pardons his predecessor, Nixon, for his involvement in the Watergate scandal.—
Richard Edwards,
Space.com,
17 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
The deep-tissue technique, using thumbs and knuckles, relieves these pain points.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
2 June 2026
-
Sanchez has not been immune to errors, but his shot-stopping has been key to Chelsea and Liam Rosenior’s exit relieves some of the questions about his ability on the ball.—
Cerys Jones,
New York Times,
21 May 2026
Noun
-
Not everyone works well with constant pings and interruptions.—
Expert Panel®,
Forbes.com,
11 June 2026
-
Paper-thin hotel walls, hallway chatter, humming AC units—travel comes with plenty of sleep interruptions.—
Rosie Marder,
Travel + Leisure,
11 June 2026
Noun
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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
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Discretionary paroles have also plummeted.—
Shaun Boyd,
CBS News,
27 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Every weekday, the CNBC Investing Club with Jim Cramer releases the Homestretch — an actionable afternoon update, just in time for the last hour of trading on Wall Street.—
Jeff Marks,
CNBC,
9 June 2026
-
This reaction results in a helium nucleus and releases a neutron and radiation.—
ArsTechnica,
ArsTechnica,
9 June 2026
Noun
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Add in concerns about heat, commercialization—my son is among those grumbling about water breaks during games, even when temperatures are mild—and the sheer size of the tournament, and there appears to be no shortage of reasons to complain.—
Kelly Phillips Erb,
Forbes.com,
13 June 2026
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The crews are working to create a network of vegetation-free pathways, called fuel breaks, that can slow fires and give firefighters strategic access to wildlands to combat blazes.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
13 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Reprieves.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/reprieves. Accessed 14 Jun. 2026.
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