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
Verb
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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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
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Because the Dolce Vita runs on regular Italian tracks, there are occasional pauses for more mundane events like engine swaps, traffic snarlups and delays.—
Antonia Mortensen,
CNN Money,
28 Oct. 2025
Noun
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The President, not anonymous sources, is the final decider on pardons and commutations.—
Shania Russell,
Entertainment Weekly,
21 Oct. 2025
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Karl noted how Santos is one of many former congressmen to either be pardoned or receive clemency, prompting Johnson to point to former President Joe Biden’s mass pardons and commutations.—
Asher Notheis,
The Washington Examiner,
19 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Trump pardons Binance founder Changpeng Zhao.—
Yeo Boon Ping,
CNBC,
24 Oct. 2025
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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
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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
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The interruptions during the examination proved costly, as the NFL fined the Giants $200,000, Daboll $100,000, and Skattebo $15,000 for violating the league’s concussion protocol, the NFL and NFLPA announced in a joint statement Friday.—
Ryan Canfield,
FOXNews.com,
24 Oct. 2025
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The routine — which sparked some friendly interruptions at the judges' table — also earned three 10s and one 9.—
Ryan Coleman,
Entertainment Weekly,
22 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Also presented for consideration was In the Moonlight, a 40-episode historical costume drama that releases in Q1 2026 and stars Bao Shangen and Wang Hongyi.—
Abid Rahman,
HollywoodReporter,
30 Oct. 2025
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Each quarter, the department releases a report that details injuries and illnesses at exempt facilities.—
Colson Thayer,
PEOPLE,
29 Oct. 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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Over the eight-episode season, fans are introduced to Regis (Laurence Fishburne), a mysterious herbalist who aids Geralt and his gang during a desperate time of need.—
Aramide Tinubu,
Variety,
30 Oct. 2025
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That includes the $15 billion Individuals with Disabilities Education Act program for students with disabilities and the $18 billion Title I program, which aids high-poverty schools.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
19 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Reprieves.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/reprieves. Accessed 5 Nov. 2025.
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