reprieve

/rɪˈpriːv/noun

A short break from something hard or unpleasant.

Example sentences

“The cool evening breeze offered a welcome reprieve from the heat.”
“A day of rain gave firefighters a brief reprieve from the spreading flames.”

Originally a stay of execution, and that legal weight lingers: a reprieve suggests escape from something dreaded, not just a pause.

Featured as word of the day on July 27, 2026.

Synonyms for reprieve

respite
break
breather
relief

Find it in: Advanced English words, Positive words.

Related words

resplendentStrikingly beautiful and impressive, often because of rich colours or shine.sagaciousWise and able to make sound judgments.scrupulousCareful to act honestly and fairly, and to do what is morally right.serendipityThe lucky discovery of something good purely by accident, as if it had been arranged.pristineCompletely clean and untouched, as if in its original perfect condition.prescientSeeming to know about events before they actually happen.