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
-
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
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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,
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
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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
-
The hope is that the device relieves enough pressure on the lungs and heart to give them some time to recover.—
Thomas Adamson,
Los Angeles Times,
12 May 2026
Noun
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Most policies cover trip interruptions only when a government issues an official evacuation order or a destination becomes uninhabitable due to a natural disaster.—
Christopher Elliott,
Forbes.com,
30 May 2026
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Representatives from dozens of agencies, incuding the New Jersey State Police, discussed the potential of cyber attacks, infrastructure interruptions, and infectious diseases.—
Lisa Rozner,
CBS News,
27 May 2026
Verb
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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
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This reaction results in a helium nucleus and releases a neutron and radiation.—
ArsTechnica,
ArsTechnica,
9 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
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Regular watering also aids nutrient uptake, prevents water stress that can stall development, and results in a bigger harvest.—
SJ McShane,
Martha Stewart,
23 May 2026
-
The Tea3 Foundation aids children, military members and animals.—
Ashley Mackin Solomon,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
19 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Reprieves.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/reprieves. Accessed 10 Jun. 2026.
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