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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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of reprieves
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
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
-
Spearheaded by The People's Union USA, these spending pauses have lasted anywhere from 24 hours to one week.—
Alex Perry,
Cincinnati Enquirer,
6 Nov. 2025
-
This resulted in the disruption of non-essential public services, including pauses in funding and federal employee salaries, the closure of national parks and administrative delays across federal agencies.—
Lauren Giella,
MSNBC Newsweek,
29 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
Several pardons and commutations issued by former President Joe Biden sparked controversy.—
David Mark,
The Washington Examiner,
31 Oct. 2025
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More than 13,000 people have applied for federal clemency since 2021, yet only a few hundred have received pardons or commutations.—
Khalil Cumberbatch,
MSNBC Newsweek,
29 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Trump pardons Binance founder Changpeng Zhao.—
Yeo Boon Ping,
CNBC,
24 Oct. 2025
-
Trump pardons couple in 2025 Julie, 52, was sentenced to seven years at the Federal Medical Center in Lexington, though that sentence was eventually reduced.—
Marina Johnson,
Louisville Courier Journal,
28 Aug. 2025
Verb
-
That thick sole relieves pressure and pain, especially pain associated with conditions like plantar fasciitis.—
Olivia Young,
Travel + Leisure,
8 Oct. 2025
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This deep tissue massage relieves tension in my head, neck, and shoulders without any effort.—
Jacquelyn Smith,
Parents,
27 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
The sudden sting, the constant urge to run to the bathroom and the interruptions to work or intimacy can feel both embarrassing and unsettling.—
Daryl Austin,
USA Today,
7 Nov. 2025
-
On Wednesday, Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy said airline traffic will be reduced by 10% across 40 locations starting Friday amid staffing interruptions.—
Juliana Kim,
NPR,
6 Nov. 2025
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,
5 Nov. 2025
-
The sulfur-rich stream, fed by natural springs and winds through the cavern, releases hydrogen sulfide that sustains this unexpected chain of life.—
Alice Gibbs,
MSNBC Newsweek,
5 Nov. 2025
Noun
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Although their paroles were denied, the brothers can ask the parole board to review the case for errors, according to the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation.—
Emily Shapiro,
ABC News,
22 Aug. 2025
Verb
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The governor is tapping unspent funds from the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families, the federal program that aids low-income families with children.—
The NPR Network,
NPR,
6 Nov. 2025
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The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, or SNAP, aids roughly 42 million people and was set to run out of funds on Saturday without intervention.—
Thania Garcia,
Variety,
31 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Reprieves.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/reprieves. Accessed 13 Nov. 2025.
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