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
Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 24 Apr. 2026
So far, the Defense Department has issued the reprieve to Netgear, Adtran, and Amazon’s eero brand, all of which are US companies.
—Michael Kan, PC Magazine, 24 Apr. 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
In between, there are 46 rooms, suites, and apartments in soothing shades; a serene reprieve from the 24-hour buzz on the doorstep.
—Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 24 Apr. 2026
So far, the Defense Department has issued the reprieve to Netgear, Adtran, and Amazon’s eero brand, all of which are US companies.
—Michael Kan, PC Magazine, 24 Apr. 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
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Manny fields it, kind of checks and gets the pause, throws it to second.—
Kevin Acee,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
2 May 2026
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For savers, the Fed's ongoing rate pause has effectively preserved an unusually favorable rate environment, one where yields on certificates of deposit (CDs), high-yield savings accounts and money market accounts remain well above the long-term historical average.—
Angelica Leicht,
CBS News,
1 May 2026
Noun
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Colorado is the only state in the country where someone who kills due to extreme recklessness receives the same sentence — life without parole — as someone who kills intentionally and after deliberation.—
Shaun Boyd,
CBS News,
30 Apr. 2026
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Burke is facing a maximum sentence of life in prison without the possibility of parole or death.—
Christine Pelisek,
PEOPLE,
30 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Facing impeachment, Richard Nixon left office in 1974 and was quickly pardoned by his successor, Gerald Ford.—
Lorna Veraldi,
Encyclopedia Britannica,
27 Apr. 2026
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The Democrats have signaled that they are united in opposition to any talk of pardoning Maxwell.—
Shirsho Dasgupta,
Miami Herald,
25 Apr. 2026
Verb
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This measure also relieves pressure on the broader state budget by leaving more funds available for priorities like Medicaid, behavioral health, infrastructure, and public safety.—
Kevin Vick,
Denver Post,
26 Apr. 2026
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We are relieved that the President and the First Lady are safe and strong.—
NPR Staff,
NPR,
26 Apr. 2026
Noun
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Employees restock more frequently and experience fewer interruptions from weekend shoppers, resulting in shelves that tend to stay better organized and fuller.—
Elizabeth Fogarty,
Better Homes & Gardens,
29 Apr. 2026
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It has been contested almost annually without interruption since 10 years after the end of the Civil War, and on the first Saturday in May for almost a century.—
NBC news,
NBC news,
29 Apr. 2026
Noun
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Parson announced the commutation in the twilight of his term on the Friday afternoon before the Christmas holiday week in 2024.—
Kacen Bayless,
Kansas City Star,
27 Apr. 2026
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Trump previously gave these members of extremist groups commutations instead of full pardons.—
Brittney Melton,
NPR,
16 Apr. 2026
Verb
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The Raptors were aided by 36 free throw attempts (making 27), 21 offensive rebounds and 17 Cleveland turnovers.—
Dan Santaromita,
New York Times,
27 Apr. 2026
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Carter also co-founded a non-profit in his community called The Local Voice, which aided women fighting breast cancer.—
Jordan Moreau,
Variety,
27 Apr. 2026
Noun
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Steele is now unlikely to rejoin the Cubs’ rotation until after the July All-Star break, Counsell estimated.—
Meghan Montemurro,
Chicago Tribune,
29 Apr. 2026
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Wagner led the team at the halfway mark with 17 points, scoring 10 points in the paint before the break.—
Jason Beede,
The Orlando Sentinel,
28 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Reprieve.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/reprieve. Accessed 3 May. 2026.
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