reprieves 1 of 2

noun

plural of reprieve
1
as in pauses
a temporary halt in an activity or condition The pool offered a welcome reprieve from the heat.

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2
as in commutations
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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reprieves

2 of 2

verb

present tense third-person singular of reprieve
1
as in pardons

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2
as in relieves

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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 reprieves
Noun
Given two reprieves, Walker worked a leadoff walk, just his sixth free pass in his previous 115 plate appearances. — Chandler Rome, New York Times, 13 Sep. 2026 The president and his family are linked to numerous businesses that could potentially be granted reprieves from the federal government, though so far that has not been an issue. — Alison Durkee, Forbes.com, 10 Aug. 2026 Smith was a redhead, short and slightly built, with a pleasant nature, at least according to the Courant, which had regular access to the prisoner, including occasions when reprieves were delivered. — Edmund H. Mahony, Hartford Courant, 19 July 2026 While May and June saw an interim deal to end the war, temporary reprieves from hostilities and the strait’s reopening, recent and intensifying strikes by both the Islamic Republic and the United States have halted that progress. — Claire Malon, Chicago Tribune, 17 July 2026 But those protections are issued alongside deportation orders and technically allow for those granted the reprieves to be deported to any other third country. — Camilo Montoya-Galvez, CBS News, 20 May 2026 Extradition requests typically drag on for months, sometimes years, as those targeted seek reprieves from Mexican courts. — Kate Linthicum, Los Angeles Times, 30 Apr. 2026 One of those reprieves came only hours before. — Kevin Grasha, Cincinnati Enquirer, 6 Mar. 2026 Another 17 inmates so far are scheduled to be put to death this year, including a woman in Tennessee, though that number will change significantly as governors approve more death warrants or inmates win reprieves. — Amanda Lee Myers, USA Today, 29 Jan. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for reprieves
  1. pauses
  2. commutations
  3. pardons
  4. relieves
  5. interruptions
  6. paroles
  7. releases
  8. breaks
Noun
  • Those include scrapping several existing repayment options and doing away with payment pauses for struggling student loan borrowers.
    — Kate Dore, CFP®, EA,Jessica Dickler,Sarah Agostino,Greg Iacurci,Lorie Konish,Annie Nova,Sharon Epperson,Stephanie Dhue, CNBC, 27 Oct. 2026
  • In September 2024, in the middle of combat, Israel agreed to daily nine-hour pauses so that 560,000 Palestinian children could get polio drops.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 23 Oct. 2026
Definition of pauses
Noun
  • Since taking office in 2019, Newsom has granted 303 pardons and 199 commutations.
    — Rosalio Ahumada, Sacbee.com, 23 Oct. 2026
  • Trump has pardoned or given commutations to at least 44 recipients within a year of their sentences who together account for over $270 million in financial obligations.
    — Caren Morrison, The Conversation, 22 Sep. 2026
Definition of commutations
Verb
  • After losing his reelection bid to Bill Clinton in 1992, Bush issued Christmas Eve pardons to six Reagan administration officials convicted of or facing trials for crimes related to Iran-Contra.
    — Tracy Grant, Encyclopedia Britannica, 10 Aug. 2026
  • Trump pardons ex-Republican congressman.
    — Jay Stahl, USA Today, 7 June 2026
Definition of pardons
Verb
  • But after a pack of orcas mortally wound the sperm whale, his father’s voice relieves him of that guilt.
    — Patrick Gomez, Entertainment Weekly, 16 Oct. 2026
  • Trump, Zelensky, and European leaders need to organize their actions in a way that relieves pressure on the Ukrainian economy while showing growing willingness to exploit critical Russian vulnerabilities.
    — Eric Ciaramella, Foreign Affairs, 14 Oct. 2026
Definition of relieves
Noun
  • An experimental obesity drug significantly reduced breathing interruptions and other symptoms of obstructive sleep disorder in two clinical trials, according to new research published in The New England Journal of Medicine.
    — Angelica Stabile, FOXNews.com, 28 Oct. 2026
  • Pediatricians can help families navigate these decisions and guide them on how to continue living healthy lives with minimal interruptions during a measles outbreak.
    — Katie Lockwood, STAT, 28 Oct. 2026
Definition of interruptions
Noun
  • The candidates have been clashing over the personal history of DeBarros, who served 19 years in prison for a shooting in Waterbury at the age of 18 in 1996 before he was later pardoned by the state’s board of pardons and paroles.
    — Christopher Keating, Hartford Courant, 9 Aug. 2026
  • While Singh’s lawyer Jitender Khurana denies any political motive for his client’s paroles, his previous releases coincided with crucial state elections, fueling speculation that his freedom is a reward for the Dera’s electoral support.
    — Rhea Mogul, CNN Money, 6 Feb. 2026
Definition of paroles
Verb
  • That water releases enormous amounts of heat into the atmosphere, shifting weather patterns around the world.
    — Ava Berger, NPR, 29 Oct. 2026
  • Continue reading … -- IN OTHER NEWS GOSPEL QUEST — Popular Christian YouTuber releases biblical fantasy novel meant to challenge today’s dark content.
    — , FOXNews.com, 28 Oct. 2026
Definition of releases
Noun
  • The Dodgers in 2024 and 2025 had plenty of breaks, as did the Rangers in 2023 and Astros in 2022.
    — Ian Miller OutKick, FOXNews.com, 27 Oct. 2026
  • For people taking long trips in a car or plane, it is recommended to take frequent movement breaks, stay hydrated and even use compression socks.
    — Ali Ataya, The Conversation, 26 Oct. 2026
Definition of breaks

Browse Nearby Words

reprieved
reprieves
reprieving
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Cite this Entry

“Reprieves.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/reprieves. Accessed 29 Oct. 2026.

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