RESPITES Synonyms: 45 Similar and Opposite Words

respite

noun

Definition of respite

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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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 Now, the organization overseeing medical residency programs — the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME) — has proposed weakening the rules that gave me some respite. — Arifeen Rahman, STAT, 20 Oct. 2026 After a monthlong fashion marathon that went from New York to Paris, a quieter-than-usual Shanghai Fashion Week felt almost like a respite in a still-bustling metropolis that offered no shortage of cultural activities on the side. — Tianwei Zhang, Footwear News, 16 Oct. 2026 At the bottom is the emerald-green pool, providing guests with welcome respite from the heat. — Julia Wytrazek, TheWeek, 13 Oct. 2026 In Los Guayos, near the Venezuelan city of Valencia, worsening power cuts leave María Añez and her family with little respite. — Catherine Ellis, Miami Herald, 9 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for respite

Recent Examples of Synonyms for respite

Noun

Earlier this month, Minnesota Vikings fans who’d settled in for the team’s matchup with the Miami Dolphins were surprised to see a Paxton ad show up during one of the in-game breaks.

— Anthony Crupi, Sportico.com, 30 Oct. 2026
If a low-value test breaks repeatedly after harmless UI changes, regenerating or deleting it may be cheaper than assigning a senior engineer to preserve it forever.

— Mudit Singh, Forbes.com, 30 Oct. 2026

Definition of break

Noun

While older generations may interpret limited eye contact, a flat expression or a pause before responding as rude, lazy or unprofessional, that might not be a younger person’s intent at all, Leahy said.

— CNN Money, CNN Money, 24 Oct. 2026
The pause lasted more than a year, straining cattle supply and contributing to record-high beef prices.

— Deirdre Bardolf, FOXNews.com, 24 Oct. 2026

Definition of pause

Noun

Rather than waiting for a lull to try something new, leaders can make innovation a regular part of business operations.

— Expert Panel®, Forbes.com, 30 Oct. 2026
But in the event of an energetic lull or bout of social fatigue, a game is a nice place to land.

— Wilder Davies, Bon Appetit Magazine, 24 Oct. 2026

Definition of lull

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respiring

respite

resplendence

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“Respite.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/respite. Accessed 3 Nov. 2026.

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Synonyms of respite

noun

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