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
Relevance
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
Afterwards, take a welcome breather at nearby Hidden Gem Coffee, filled with mismatched, upcycled furniture (including car parts transformed into chairs).
—
Tamara Hinson, Condé Nast Traveler, 27 Mar. 2026
Kornet gets a breather thanks to Plumlee The Spurs signed journeyman Mason Plumlee a few weeks ago for the remainder of the season to add depth at the center position.
—Tom Orsborn, San Antonio Express-News, 26 Mar. 2026
Mouth breathers tend to carry their head forward to open the airway, a subtle shift that can become its own habitual pattern.
—Allison Palmer, Miami Herald, 25 Mar. 2026
Five minutes of straight planking probably sounds intense, but this routine incorporates a different variation every 30 seconds, which lessens the intimidation factor and also gives certain muscles a breather while others take on more work.
—Jenny McCoy, Outside, 23 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for breather
Tamara Hinson, Condé Nast Traveler, 27 Mar. 2026
Kornet gets a breather thanks to Plumlee The Spurs signed journeyman Mason Plumlee a few weeks ago for the remainder of the season to add depth at the center position.
—Tom Orsborn, San Antonio Express-News, 26 Mar. 2026
Mouth breathers tend to carry their head forward to open the airway, a subtle shift that can become its own habitual pattern.
—Allison Palmer, Miami Herald, 25 Mar. 2026
Five minutes of straight planking probably sounds intense, but this routine incorporates a different variation every 30 seconds, which lessens the intimidation factor and also gives certain muscles a breather while others take on more work.
—Jenny McCoy, Outside, 23 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for breather
Recent Examples of Synonyms for breather
Noun
-
After a pause earlier this month to make way for the WGA talks, negotiation are set to pick up with the Sean Astin-run SAG-AFTRA in June, if not sooner.—
Dominic Patten,
Deadline,
4 Apr. 2026
-
Instead of plowing ahead with the current design, perhaps a pause is warranted.—
DP Opinion,
Denver Post,
4 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Even with the recent lull in ticket sales from Chinese releases, studios aren’t deterred from launching titles in the region.—
Sarah Whitten,
CNBC,
4 Apr. 2026
-
After staring down 30, experiencing a career lull, and contemplating quitting music altogether, the singer staked her future in the industry on the fate of her fourth record.—
Harry Tafoya,
Pitchfork,
2 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Cameron House is dreamy, in part for its location and breath-taking views and in part for its blend of baronial grandeur and modern luxury.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
1 Apr. 2026
-
The show’s set, designed by Hildegard Bechtler, centers around a panel which features — in bright, yellow lettering — the day and time, taking the audience from Sunday morning to Wednesday evening, when Romeo and Juliet take their final breaths.—
Ellise Shafer,
Variety,
1 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Her youngest son Oliver, now 2, was born with a hole in his heart and needed surgery, sending her on a six-month social media break.—
David Oliver,
USA Today,
1 Apr. 2026
-
That, more than anything else, is the lesson of this international break.—
Jack Pitt-Brooke,
New York Times,
1 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Breather.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/breather. Accessed 7 Apr. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
