RESPITES Synonyms: 45 Similar and Opposite Words

respite

noun

Definition of respite

as in break

a short period of time when you are able to stop doing something that is difficult or unpleasant or when something difficult or unpleasant stops or is delayed The weekend provided a nice respite from the pressures of her job. a temporary respite

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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 respite But the respite after the signing was short-lived, with Washington and Tehran seemingly adopting different interpretations of the language used in the interim agreement. — Tiago Ventura, Time, 10 Aug. 2026 Tehran on Saturday upped the ante by renewing a hefty list of demands for Washington as conditions for a full reopening of Hormuz, indicating any immediate respite for oil and gas supplies may be limited. — Sara Gharaibeh, Fortune, 9 Aug. 2026 While Kona Big Wave offered skateboarding, beer and camaraderie, T-Mobile’s Club Magenta offered some fans a covered respite from first rain and then mud Friday night and Saturday. — Jim Ryan, Forbes.com, 6 Aug. 2026 European autos are mired in a years-long structural crisis and 2026 has offered little respite. — Joseph Wilkins, CNBC, 5 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for respite

Recent Examples of Synonyms for respite

Noun

Give Rice a break Maybe the Yankees can’t sit Rice on Sunday against Dylan Cease, perhaps the best righty starter in the league not named Schilttler.

— Brendan Kuty, New York Times, 16 Aug. 2026
The risk is trying to fix everything at once or overhelping until your own system breaks.

— Tarot.com, Chicago Tribune, 15 Aug. 2026

Definition of break

Noun

This is lunch à la Provençale; expect a multi-course meal with pauses between courses (no, the service isn't slow).

— Lanie Goodman, Condé Nast Traveler, 18 Aug. 2026
As a result, the governor has issued a variety of directives on data centers since June, including a pause on data center development and lawmakers in Texas are reacting.

— Jack Fink, CBS News, 18 Aug. 2026

Definition of pause

Noun

Central Florida, though, went through a decade-long lull after 2004 before enduring several years in a row with hurricanes in the last decade.

— Richard Tribou, The Orlando Sentinel, 13 Aug. 2026
Shipping threats rise despite war lull, analysts warn Oil prices fell Monday even as diplomatic efforts to end the US-Iran war and reopen the Strait of Hormuz sputtered.

— semafor.com, semafor.com, 3 Aug. 2026

Definition of lull

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respiring

respite

resplendence

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“Respite.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/respite. Accessed 21 Aug. 2026.

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Synonyms of respite

noun

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