1
as in pause
a temporary halt in an activity or condition
The pool offered a welcome reprieve from the heat.
Related Words
Relevance
Dissimilar Words
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.
Related Words
Dissimilar Words
1
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
Anantaajith Raghuraman, New York Times, 14 May 2026
The Citi Field trainer’s room has been crowded all season, and there is little reprieve halfway into May.
—Abbey Mastracco, New York Daily News, 13 May 2026
Lisa Jarvis, Mercury News, 10 Oct. 2025
Aside from the offerings of the market itself, the square is also lined with many shops, boutiques, and department stores that provide plenty of options for visitors, as well as indoor reprieves from the cold.
—Jasmine Ting, Condé Nast Traveler, 30 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for reprieve
Noun
Before the West Ham reprieve, Marc Guehi was whistled for a push on Cristhian Mosquera during Arsenal’s 2-1 defeat at Manchester City.
—Anantaajith Raghuraman, New York Times, 14 May 2026
The Citi Field trainer’s room has been crowded all season, and there is little reprieve halfway into May.
—Abbey Mastracco, New York Daily News, 13 May 2026
Verb
In a gift to pharma, the bill broadened reprieves to drugs that treat rare conditions.
—Lisa Jarvis, Mercury News, 10 Oct. 2025
Aside from the offerings of the market itself, the square is also lined with many shops, boutiques, and department stores that provide plenty of options for visitors, as well as indoor reprieves from the cold.
—Jasmine Ting, Condé Nast Traveler, 30 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for reprieve
Recent Examples of Synonyms for reprieve
Noun
-
Taiwanese officials say they were not alerted to any potential pauses, according to The Associated Press.—
Robert McGreevy,
FOXNews.com,
23 May 2026
-
Before hitting the pause button, Joanne and Noah host their first dinner party.—
Hugh Hart,
IndieWire,
23 May 2026
Noun
-
After striking a plea deal, Sneed received a sentence of life in prison without parole, while Glossip was sentenced to death.—
Nicole Acosta,
PEOPLE,
14 May 2026
-
On May 7, Ukiah police and the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation contacted Purtill near his home and arrested him on suspicion of violating the conditions of his parole.—
Jason Green,
Mercury News,
14 May 2026
Verb
-
But President Joe Biden later pardoned him in 2023, and he was returned to Venezuela as part of a prisoner swap with Maduro's government.—
Sarah N. Lynch,
CBS News,
19 May 2026
-
For example, the president has pardoned or granted clemency to at least three nursing home operators convicted of tax or Medicare fraud.—
Howard Gleckman,
Forbes.com,
18 May 2026
Verb
-
Junior Brady Gollan relieved Hendren, going two scoreless innings, allowing a walk and adding a strikeout.—
Gary Curreri,
Sun Sentinel,
17 May 2026
-
On February 20, 2025, his parents brought him home, relieved the ordeal was over.—
Mary Beth Sheridan,
CNN Money,
17 May 2026
Noun
-
To help ensure earnings are reported correctly and reduce the risk of overpayments or benefit interruptions, keep track of hours worked, gross monthly earnings, employer details and pay stubs.—
Diane Winiarski,
Forbes.com,
20 May 2026
-
Full political violence insurance can cover property damage and business interruption tied to terrorism, sabotage, riots, strikes, civil commotion, insurrection, rebellion, mutiny, coup and war.—
Contessa Brewer,Dawn Giel,
CNBC,
19 May 2026
Noun
-
The Tribune has reviewed the names of people who have received pardons or commutations going back to the 1950s.—
Kori Rumore,
Chicago Tribune,
13 May 2026
-
In this case, the penalties will be reduced to life imprisonment without the possibility of parole or further commutation after the reprieve period ends.—
Emma Bussey,
FOXNews.com,
11 May 2026
Verb
-
During this time, circus families blossomed all over Mexico, aided by the appearance of the steamship and railway systems, as the circus historian Julio Revolledo Cárdenas would detail in a 2018 article for the Fédération Mondiale du Cirque.—
Andrea Flores,
Los Angeles Times,
19 May 2026
-
Additionally, this decision meant Microsoft could not be held liable for allegedly aiding and abetting OpenAI.—
Jon Blistein,
Rolling Stone,
18 May 2026
Noun
-
From breezy linen pants to packable layers and day-to-night dresses, these pieces are designed to keep you cool and stylish on city breaks and tropical getaways alike.—
Sophie Dodd,
Travel + Leisure,
20 May 2026
-
Divers found the boy within a few minutes of starting their search along the break wall.—
Shardaa Gray,
CBS News,
19 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Reprieve.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/reprieve. Accessed 24 May. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
