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
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Recent Examples of respite
As Jokic and company begin to trickle back into the lineup, can the Nuggets find more respite for the players who’ve helped carry them through January?
—
Bennett Durando, Denver Post, 24 Jan. 2026
Detroit library branches and recreation centers can also serve as temporary respite spots, too, during regular operating hours.
—Tanya Wildt, Freep.com, 23 Jan. 2026
If anything, cigarettes take it a step further; offering a tactile respite that counters the plastic rigidity of vapes.
—Gabriella Onessimo, Allure, 23 Jan. 2026
Yet the real draw for those seeking a respite with a spark?
—Nicole Kliest, Vogue, 22 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for respite
Bennett Durando, Denver Post, 24 Jan. 2026
Detroit library branches and recreation centers can also serve as temporary respite spots, too, during regular operating hours.
—Tanya Wildt, Freep.com, 23 Jan. 2026
If anything, cigarettes take it a step further; offering a tactile respite that counters the plastic rigidity of vapes.
—Gabriella Onessimo, Allure, 23 Jan. 2026
Yet the real draw for those seeking a respite with a spark?
—Nicole Kliest, Vogue, 22 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for respite
Recent Examples of Synonyms for respite
Noun
-
When down 0-40 in the third game of the match after an exchange of breaks, Rybakina was able to serve her way out of trouble, helped by a first of 11 aces.—
Charlie Eccleshare,
New York Times,
28 Jan. 2026
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But the Wolves shot 65% from the field in the second quarter to lead by 15 at the break and never looked back, building a lead of as many as 32 points.—
Jace Frederick,
Twin Cities,
27 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
The rechargeable lithium-ion battery inside the NODE 100 provides up to 1000+ hours of use from a single charge, which means fewer pauses to top up on power.—
Mark Sparrow,
Forbes.com,
25 Jan. 2026
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The City of Minneapolis is also filing a declaration in hopes a judge will issue a temporary restraining order to put a pause on the operation.—
WCCO Staff,
CBS News,
24 Jan. 2026
Noun
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Emilee Chinn / Getty Images Activity hit a lull after Edwin Díaz was introduced as the Los Angeles Dodgers’ new closer 26 days ago.—
Katie Woo,
New York Times,
7 Jan. 2026
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Hornick, the diner’s owner, said that despite the Logan Square spot struggling for many months — some days having a two-hour lull without a single customer — servers would turn a switch immediately as the door swung open.—
Zareen Syed,
Chicago Tribune,
5 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
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 30 Jan. 2026.
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