1
as in pauses
a temporary halt in an activity or condition
The pool offered a welcome reprieve from the heat.
Related Words
Relevance
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.
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 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
-
New Citadel employees learn not to fill in those pauses.—
Gary Sernovitz,
New Yorker,
15 June 2026
-
Speakers left pauses for imaginary conversational partners to respond, as if observing real turn-taking conventions.—
Scott Travers,
Forbes.com,
14 June 2026
Noun
-
Interim Ohio Republican Attorney General Andy Wilson expressed relief that DeWine didn't choose to use commutations and that his office will continue working to uphold the current law.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
18 June 2026
-
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
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
-
Like an Old Testament patriarch whose sins are absorbed in a greater story of redemption, America’s identity as the apostle of liberty relieves it of the excesses of introspection.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
15 June 2026
-
The deep-tissue technique, using thumbs and knuckles, relieves these pain points.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
2 June 2026
Noun
-
Home environments introduce variables, from power interruptions, internet instability, household noise, and isolation, that may contribute to employee dissatisfaction over time.—
William Jones,
USA Today,
18 June 2026
-
Declutter Your Creativity The biggest clutter to creative work is the constant stream of interruptions and quick-win tasks throughout the average workday.—
Aytekin Tank,
Forbes.com,
18 June 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
-
The team also built a version of the microbe that releases human IL-10.—
Samantha Agate,
Charlotte Observer,
16 June 2026
-
Pappalardo said the staying power of the gains will ultimately be tested as the company releases quarterly earnings reports, beginning with an initial disclosure in six to eight weeks.—
Max Zahn,
ABC News,
16 June 2026
Noun
-
In the director’s view, fragmented editing breaks emotional continuity; an unbroken take mirrors the uninterrupted flow of lived experience.—
Naman Ramachandran,
Variety,
20 June 2026
-
There will be hydration breaks during games and special rules that take effect if the on-field temperature exceeds 32°C (90°F).—
Arthur L. Kellermann,
Forbes.com,
20 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Reprieves.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/reprieves. Accessed 23 Jun. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
