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
Zayn was given a reprieve, in the form of a singles match against Finn Balor for the right to challenge for the Undisputed WWE Championship. — Alfred Konuwa, Forbes.com, 21 Aug. 2026 Granted a midseason reprieve by former athletic director Chris McIntosh, Fickell dug out of a six-game losing streak to beat two Top 25 foes down the stretch. — Stewart Mandel, New York Times, 20 Aug. 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
  • 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
  • At the time of Doe’s rape, McKinney was on parole after attacking a woman in a downtown parking lot.
    — Joaquin Sapien, ProPublica, 28 Aug. 2026
  • Today's significant sentence, which must be served without the possibility of parole, holds her accountable for her crime spree.
    — Irene Wright, USA Today, 27 Aug. 2026
Definition of parole
Verb
  • Rodney Taylor, a double amputee and Atlanta father of seven, was detained in Stewart Detention Center for 15 months in connection with a decades-old burglary charge that was later pardoned, advocates said.
    — Dan Raby, CBS News, 19 Aug. 2026
  • Several months later, in December 2024, Joe pardoned his son before leaving the White House.
    — Paloma Chavez, PEOPLE, 19 Aug. 2026
Definition of pardon
Verb
  • Party leaders laid out proposals for relieving poverty, improving social security, and reforming the education system and admitted members from backgrounds unusual for the CHP, including a Kurdish activist and a union leader.
    — Nick TaborAll, Encyclopedia Britannica, 2 Sep. 2026
  • And when the jury verdict came, he was relieved and gratified.
    — Nancy Dillon, Rolling Stone, 2 Sep. 2026
Definition of relieve
Noun
  • Kamayan, the acclaimed Filipino restaurant on Buford Highway, moved to a new space next door to its original location but never experienced an interruption of service, so it is not included in the list of new openings below.
    — Henri Hollis, AJC.com, 1 Sep. 2026
  • Across the country, others might be meeting the work requirements but miss the notice to renew in the mail and as a result, experience an interruption in coverage.
    — Abdullah Shihipar, STAT, 1 Sep. 2026
Definition of interruption
Noun
  • Oyer said part of her job was following the White House’s policy goals on commutations.
    — Jack Harvel, Kansas City Star, 22 July 2026
  • The recantations and confession probably contributed to Smith’s commutation.
    — Edmund H. Mahony, Hartford Courant, 19 July 2026
Definition of commutation
Verb
  • Posture is often more important than vitality, since deathblows can be activated even if an enemy has high health, but higher health also aids faster posture recovery, both for Wolf and his enemies.
    — Aman Kumar, Encyclopedia Britannica, 27 Aug. 2026
  • Your mission is to aid the ongoing resistance, and the game offers significant freedom in how to approach mission objectives.
    — Jason Cohen, PC Magazine, 27 Aug. 2026
Definition of aid
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

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 3 Sep. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on reprieve

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about reprieve

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