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
The two-week ceasefire between the United States and Iran, which provided some respite from weeks of bombing and missile attacks, is set to expire this Wednesday if the parties don’t find a way to extend it.
—
Daniel Depetris, Chicago Tribune, 21 Apr. 2026
These secret spots provide a serene respite from the bustle of the main street and feel almost like stepping through a portal into the vias of Paris or Rome.
—Linnea Bailey, Southern Living, 18 Apr. 2026
In a time when our homes are expected to do more than ever, and the social media trend cycle is at an all-time high, whimsymaxxing offers a refreshing respite.
—Cori Sears, Better Homes & Gardens, 17 Apr. 2026
But at least in Wisconsin, a respite could be near.
—ABC News, 16 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for respite
Daniel Depetris, Chicago Tribune, 21 Apr. 2026
These secret spots provide a serene respite from the bustle of the main street and feel almost like stepping through a portal into the vias of Paris or Rome.
—Linnea Bailey, Southern Living, 18 Apr. 2026
In a time when our homes are expected to do more than ever, and the social media trend cycle is at an all-time high, whimsymaxxing offers a refreshing respite.
—Cori Sears, Better Homes & Gardens, 17 Apr. 2026
But at least in Wisconsin, a respite could be near.
—ABC News, 16 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 4 May. 2026.
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