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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1
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of reprieve
Martin E. Comas, The Orlando Sentinel, 31 Mar. 2026
London — The world, hungry for oil, got a modest reprieve earlier this month when Saudi Arabia began diverting millions of barrels of crude —ordinarily destined for ships transiting the blockaded Strait of Hormuz — to its Red Sea port of Yanbu.
—Anna Cooban, CNN Money, 30 Mar. 2026
Jasmine Ting, Condé Nast Traveler, 30 Sep. 2025
Trump has since given TikTok three more extensions as his administration tried to broker a deal for ByteDance to divest and U.S. companies to take control — a series of reprieves that legal experts have questioned.
—John Ruwitch, NPR, 19 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for reprieve
Noun
The uncertainty has already led to the postponement of Duckett’s execution, originally set for Tuesday evening, granting him a rare reprieve amid Florida’s recent brisk pace of fulfilling death penalty sentences.
—Martin E. Comas, The Orlando Sentinel, 31 Mar. 2026
London — The world, hungry for oil, got a modest reprieve earlier this month when Saudi Arabia began diverting millions of barrels of crude —ordinarily destined for ships transiting the blockaded Strait of Hormuz — to its Red Sea port of Yanbu.
—Anna Cooban, CNN Money, 30 Mar. 2026
Verb
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
Trump has since given TikTok three more extensions as his administration tried to broker a deal for ByteDance to divest and U.S. companies to take control — a series of reprieves that legal experts have questioned.
—John Ruwitch, NPR, 19 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for reprieve
Recent Examples of Synonyms for reprieve
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
-
Hedrick was sentenced to 20 years in prison, but was released on parole after eight years.—
Natalie Neysa Alund,
USA Today,
2 Apr. 2026
-
Judy Church appears in court for her sentencing on April 2, 2026, receiving life without parole for murdering her boyfriend by poisoning.—
Penny Kmitt,
CBS News,
2 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
His legal restoration began in 2020 with Trump pardoning him for lying to the FBI.—
Michael Loria,
USA Today,
26 Mar. 2026
-
Lukashenko pardoned the prisoners after meeting with Coale in Minsk.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
25 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Seasoned golfers Bernhard Langer and Fred Couples flirted with the cut line while Arizona State senior Jose Luis Ballester relieved himself in Rae’s Creek near the 13th tee.—
Jack Leo,
AJC.com,
4 Apr. 2026
-
Speaking of cryptocurrency, you may be relieved to know that Jonathan, the world’s oldest tortoise, is alive and well, despite rumors to the contrary.—
Alan Henry,
PC Magazine,
3 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
As the city has become a year-round base, their clients—often finance and tech principals relocating from New York and California—expect homes to support work, family life, and entertaining without interruption.—
Abby Montanez,
Robb Report,
31 Mar. 2026
-
The structure remains fairly traditional, allowing the images to carry the weight of the story without interruption.—
Caterina De Biasio,
Vogue,
31 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
And the punishment must be carried out within 90 days of sentencing without any possibility for pardons or commutations.—
Matt Bradley,
NBC news,
1 Apr. 2026
-
The victim’s daughter – identified as Tori in Burton’s clemency petition – and some of the jurors in Burton’s case have backed his request for commutation.—
Elise Hammond,
CNN Money,
10 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
With the infield playing in, second baseman Nico Hoerner threw out CJ Kayfus, running from third on contact, at home aided by a stellar catch and tag by Amaya.—
Meghan Montemurro,
Chicago Tribune,
6 Apr. 2026
-
Frank’s aided by his remote connection to Tom, his handler, who keeps him on track.—
Mary Ann Grossmann,
Twin Cities,
5 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
“Reprieve.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/reprieve. Accessed 7 Apr. 2026.
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