as in break
a short period of time when you are able to stop doing something that is difficult or unpleasant or when something difficult or unpleasant stops or is delayed
The weekend provided a nice respite from the pressures of her job. a temporary respite
Related Words
Relevance
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 respite
Kingpins Show Amsterdam was a respite from all the current concerns the industry is facing—from wars, to rising raw material costs and uncertainty.
—
Sj Guest Editorial, Footwear News, 29 Apr. 2026
The plant is expected to start supplying fertilizers to Latin American markets by early 2029, offering some respite to a region that is critical to global crop exports yet dependent on fertilizer imports.
—Natasha Bracken, semafor.com, 28 Apr. 2026
The head-to-head battle between the two candidates began in 2024 when community members of Lincoln were shocked by the announcement of a medical respite center coming to downtown near multiple schools.
—Nicole Buss, Sacbee.com, 27 Apr. 2026
Amid fear, frustration and anger, booksellers are providing resources and spaces for learning, organizing and respite.
—Mark Pearson, Mercury News, 25 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for respite
Sj Guest Editorial, Footwear News, 29 Apr. 2026
The plant is expected to start supplying fertilizers to Latin American markets by early 2029, offering some respite to a region that is critical to global crop exports yet dependent on fertilizer imports.
—Natasha Bracken, semafor.com, 28 Apr. 2026
The head-to-head battle between the two candidates began in 2024 when community members of Lincoln were shocked by the announcement of a medical respite center coming to downtown near multiple schools.
—Nicole Buss, Sacbee.com, 27 Apr. 2026
Amid fear, frustration and anger, booksellers are providing resources and spaces for learning, organizing and respite.
—Mark Pearson, Mercury News, 25 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for respite
Recent Examples of Synonyms for respite
Noun
-
Steele is now unlikely to rejoin the Cubs’ rotation until after the July All-Star break, Counsell estimated.—
Meghan Montemurro,
Chicago Tribune,
29 Apr. 2026
-
Wagner led the team at the halfway mark with 17 points, scoring 10 points in the paint before the break.—
Jason Beede,
The Orlando Sentinel,
28 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Manny fields it, kind of checks and gets the pause, throws it to second.—
Kevin Acee,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
2 May 2026
-
For savers, the Fed's ongoing rate pause has effectively preserved an unusually favorable rate environment, one where yields on certificates of deposit (CDs), high-yield savings accounts and money market accounts remain well above the long-term historical average.—
Angelica Leicht,
CBS News,
1 May 2026
Noun
-
Say goodbye to the mid-summer lull with the unstoppable flower power of these garden superstars.—
Kim Toscano,
Southern Living,
3 May 2026
-
But that lull appears to be near its end, with both campaigns and the pro-Cornyn Super PAC Texans for a Conservative Majority now spending heavily to book up large blocks of television ads ahead of the May 26 runoff.—
James Osborne,
Houston Chronicle,
1 May 2026
Noun
-
The proof was in my Oura ring sleep score—96% and optimal restfulness.—
Brianna Peters,
Vogue,
28 Mar. 2026
-
But restfulness dropped—my body noticed the break.—
Marisa McMillan,
Outside,
29 Dec. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Respite.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/respite. Accessed 7 May. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
