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
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Recent Examples of breather
The hope was for Bryant to bolster the Pacers’ frontcourt and keep the team humming whenever its starting center, Turner, needed a breather.
—
James Boyd, New York Times, 1 June 2025
Robinson played nearly the first 11 minutes, giving the Knicks six points and four rebounds before taking his first breather.
—Peter Sblendorio, New York Daily News, 26 May 2025
Up next, Torrey Pines continues North County Coastal League action against San Marcos on April 15 while Santa Fe Christian gets a breather before facing Coastal Academy on April 22.
—Breven Honda, San Diego Union-Tribune, 11 Apr. 2025
Initiating difficult conversations, and then getting all the way through them, takes planning and practice (and sometimes even a breather).
—Harvard Business Review, 21 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for breather
James Boyd, New York Times, 1 June 2025
Robinson played nearly the first 11 minutes, giving the Knicks six points and four rebounds before taking his first breather.
—Peter Sblendorio, New York Daily News, 26 May 2025
Up next, Torrey Pines continues North County Coastal League action against San Marcos on April 15 while Santa Fe Christian gets a breather before facing Coastal Academy on April 22.
—Breven Honda, San Diego Union-Tribune, 11 Apr. 2025
Initiating difficult conversations, and then getting all the way through them, takes planning and practice (and sometimes even a breather).
—Harvard Business Review, 21 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for breather
Recent Examples of Synonyms for breather
Noun
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In addition to the hiring freeze, University President Ron Daniels also announced a pause in annual pay increases for employees earning $80,000 or more, a slowing of capital projects by 10% to 20%, and spending cuts for travel, events, food, and supplies.—
Paul Weinstein Jr,
Forbes.com,
7 June 2025
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The pause and the every-other-year scheme have pushed Tarrant County’s next property appraisals to 2027.—
Cody Copeland,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
6 June 2025
Noun
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As the game moved into the second quarter, the Thunder stayed in control as both teams went through a shooting lull.—
Kyle Feldscher,
CNN Money,
5 June 2025
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More recently, Mount Etna has been active in the past few months, with this eruption being the 14th episode since March 2025 after a 19-day lull.—
Kenna Hughes-Castleberry,
Space.com,
4 June 2025
Noun
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Seeing what my chest looked like took my breath away.—
Mindie Kaplan,
Flow Space,
16 June 2025
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Stanko's execution just one of four this week Stanko's final breaths came during a busy week for the death penalty in the U.S., with four executions between Tuesday and Friday.—
Amanda Lee Myers,
USA Today,
14 June 2025
Noun
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Their subsequent conversation during his break suggests lasting affection on both sides.—
David Rooney,
HollywoodReporter,
9 June 2025
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Anderson’s Asteroid City set the best PSA opening record in some time almost exactly two years ago in June of 2023 with a wide break on the same number of screens, expanding to $9 million in a less competitive market.—
Jill Goldsmith,
Deadline,
8 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“Breather.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/breather. Accessed 20 Jun. 2025.
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