reprieve 1 of 2

noun

Definition of reprievenext
1
as in pause
a temporary halt in an activity or condition The pool offered a welcome reprieve from the heat.

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2
as in parole
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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reprieve

2 of 2

verb

1
as in to pardon

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2
as in to relieve

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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 reprieve
Noun
Wall Street got a taste this week of what a reprieve on both fronts could mean for the broader stock market. — Sarah Min, CNBC, 2 Oct. 2026 But while many employees can only dream of a Saturday off, schools across the country are giving students a reprieve from the Monday morning blues with three-day weekends. — Muskaan Arshad, Fortune, 1 Oct. 2026
Verb
The sanction reprieves are aimed at easing oil prices by at least temporarily boosting supply. — Joe Walsh, CBS News, 20 Mar. 2026 Then, Bill Clinton offered 11th-hour reprieves to his half brother Roger and Democrat superdonor Marc Rich. — Willem Marx, Vanity Fair, 18 Feb. 2026 See All Example Sentences for reprieve
Recent Examples of Synonyms for reprieve
  1. pause
  2. parole
  3. pardon
  4. relieve
  5. interruption
  6. commutation
  7. aid
  8. break
Noun
  • Prior to the pause, Verizon had told the FCC that the old-school copper networks will remain in place for areas where its replacement solution falls short of Commission standards.
    — Michael Kan, PC Magazine, 9 Oct. 2026
  • But, in a moment where the AI industry is filled with existential anxiety, and even its leaders are calling for brakes, Haugen isn’t advocating for a pause in AI development.
    — Beatrice Nolan, Fortune, 8 Oct. 2026
Definition of pause
Noun
  • The man remained held without bail at the Placer County Jail in Auburn in connection with his parole violation.
    — Nicole Buss, Sacbee.com, 7 Oct. 2026
  • Newsom had denied a previous decision granting parole to Van Houten but was overruled by an appellate court.
    — Richard Winton, Los Angeles Times, 7 Oct. 2026
Definition of parole
Verb
  • His pledge to pardon Jair if elected has turned the former president's legal fate into a campaign issue — and raised broader questions about the consequences of a Bolsonaro return to power for Brazil's democratic institutions.
    — Catherine Osborn, NPR, 2 Oct. 2026
  • The photos show the president at rallies, pardoning turkeys, at the White House with Christmas decorations, standing with the FIFA trophy, surrounded by flags, flanked by military leaders, outside the Taj Mahal and more.
    — Aaron Navarro, CBS News, 29 Sep. 2026
Definition of pardon
Verb
  • The belief that heat can benefit the mind and relieve psychic suffering has a long history across human societies.
    — Will Stone, NPR, 5 Oct. 2026
  • According to a photo from the scene, one appeared to have blood on its hind leg; the other appeared relieved to have its friend back.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 4 Oct. 2026
Definition of relieve
Noun
  • If every interruption becomes a priority, planning gradually disappears.
    — Julien Fortuit, Forbes.com, 6 Oct. 2026
  • The five original Nobel Prizes were created under the terms of Swedish inventor and industrialist Alfred Nobel’s will and have been awarded since 1901, with only limited interruptions, chiefly during World War I and World War II.
    — Reuters, NBC news, 5 Oct. 2026
Definition of interruption
Noun
  • Attorneys call for commutation Pike was initially scheduled to be executed on Wednesday morning, but last-minute legal appeals delayed the execution to later in the day.
    — Eric Levenson, CNN Money, 2 Oct. 2026
  • Continue reading … FIGHT FOR HER LIFE — Christa Pike’s lawyers demand commutation after Tennessee's botched execution.
    — , FOXNews.com, 2 Oct. 2026
Definition of commutation
Verb
  • Wearable sensors could aid therapy The researchers envision garments that let users control video game characters or operate robots remotely.
    — Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 9 Oct. 2026
  • Lawyers for victims’ relatives claim that a group of extremist religious leaders in Saudi Arabia aided the hijackers.
    — Tom Winter, NBC news, 8 Oct. 2026
Definition of aid
Noun
  • The prototype was tested on one construction worker during normal activities, including movement, breaks, drinking water and eating.
    — Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 10 Oct. 2026
  • Sandy Powell, who is in the film, became a celebrated costume designer, and one of her first breaks was through Derek’s films.
    — Georg Szalai, HollywoodReporter, 9 Oct. 2026
Definition of break

Browse Nearby Words

repressive
reprieve
reprieved
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Cite this Entry

“Reprieve.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/reprieve. Accessed 11 Oct. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on reprieve

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about reprieve

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