breather

noun

ˈbrē-t͟hər How to pronounce breather (audio)
Definition of breathernext
as in pause
a momentary halt in an activity took a breather from the seemingly endless task of sorting through years of stuff stored in the attic

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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 breather Edison Motors There are plenty more details to discover, including the classic large external Donaldson air breathers, room beneath the cab to work on it, dual 8-inch exhaust pipes, a 40-ton winch, and reliable AD 130 air ride suspension. — Abhimanyu Ghoshal, New Atlas, 16 Aug. 2026 The Cockroach movement – named in the wake of a disparaging comment India’s chief justice made about unemployed youth – is now taking a breather, preparing, its leaders say, to throw its weight behind other issues affecting young Indians. — Aakash Hassan, Christian Science Monitor, 30 July 2026 After what Kansas men’s basketball coach Bill Self believes was a highly successful two-month summer set of workouts, the 14 Jayhawk players on the 2026-27 roster have headed to their hometowns for a month-long breather. — Gary Bedore, Kansas City Star, 29 July 2026 Blount and Lightfoot were part of Miami’s second wave of pass rushers who filled in when Bain and Mesidor needed rare breathers. — Jordan McPherson, Miami Herald, 29 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for breather
Recent Examples of Synonyms for breather
  1. pause
  2. lull
  3. breath
  4. break
Noun
  • The Appalachian Trail Conservancy defines a thru-hike as completing all of the trail’s sections in any order within a year, allowing for pauses.
    — Holly Ramer, Los Angeles Times, 31 Aug. 2026
  • This summer's pause in data reporting for Somalia came at a particularly precarious time.
    — Durrie Bouscaren, NPR, 31 Aug. 2026
Definition of pause
Noun
  • Typically, the last weekend of August brings a bit of a lull – right after a popular Jeep expo and just before the Labor Day rush.
    — Rachel Siegel, CNN Money, 27 Aug. 2026
  • Birth of daughter and personal struggles Meanwhile, following a lull in her career in the late 1990s, Smith returned to the spotlight in 2000.
    — Imani Sumbi, Encyclopedia Britannica, 26 Aug. 2026
Definition of lull
Noun
  • Not feeling quite ready to start clearing up yet, Tracey stood in the kitchen doorway and took a long, deep breath.
    — Helen Simpson, New Yorker, 30 Aug. 2026
  • Coastal protection advocates held their breath late into the night Friday as the clock ticked at the end of the legislative session.
    — Steve Lopez, Los Angeles Times, 29 Aug. 2026
Definition of breath
Noun
  • The team's official drumline, The Pack, pounded on illuminated drums during quarter breaks, while Skye, the team's sassy, blue-haired lioness mascot, jumped onto the T-shirt cannon to launch souvenir merchandise high into stadium seats.
    — Odette Yousef, NPR, 29 Aug. 2026
  • Mourinho also voiced concerns about the upcoming three-week international break, fearing player injuries.
    — Tom Sanderson, Forbes.com, 29 Aug. 2026
Definition of break

Browse Nearby Words

breathe (out)
breather
breathers
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Breather.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/breather. Accessed 2 Sep. 2026.

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