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
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
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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
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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,
13 May 2026
Verb
-
Trump pardons ex-Republican congressman.—
Jay Stahl,
USA Today,
7 June 2026
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Trump pardons 5 former NFL stars for wide-ranging crimes.—
,
FOXNews.com,
13 Feb. 2026
Verb
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His termination for cause, a designation that relieves Michigan of the obligation to pay him, could lead to a breach of contract and defamation lawsuit.—
Michael McCann,
Sportico.com,
11 Dec. 2025
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Aerlang Mini Massage Gun This quiet and compact massage gun relieves aches, pains, and tensions on the go.—
Melanie Fincher,
Southern Living,
27 Nov. 2025
Noun
-
Build Flexibility Into The Employee Experience Create more flexible ways of working by reducing unnecessary interruptions, allowing for deep work time and offering multiple communication channels.—
Expert Panel®,
Forbes.com,
11 June 2026
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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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The immigrants and the organization are being represented by the legal advocacy organizations Democracy Forward and the Massachusetts Law Reform Institute, which argued that DHS violated the federal act by abruptly revoking paroles and work authorizations en masse without individual reviews.—
Verónica Egui Brito,
Miami Herald,
2 Apr. 2026
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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
Verb
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The team also built a version of the microbe that releases human IL-10.—
Samantha Agate,
Charlotte Observer,
16 June 2026
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Once activated, this anti-nausea band releases a specific pattern of pulses that stimulate the median nerve under the skin.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
16 June 2026
Noun
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In healthcare supply chain, those breaks tend to jeopardize outcomes and erode trust.—
Tina Vatanka Murphy,
Forbes.com,
21 Aug. 2025
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Finance and Administration Commissioner Jim Bryson said Monday that any breaks on the state’s 4% grocery tax will be up to the legislature to consider.—
Vivian Jones,
The Tennessean,
21 Aug. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Reprieves.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/reprieves. Accessed 17 Jun. 2026.
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