SYNONYMS AND RELATED EXPRESSIONS
respite
noun
A short period of rest or relief from something difficult.
Local English device voice, when available. This is not a recorded dictionary pronunciation.
Brief rest or relief
Closest synonyms
Related words and expressions
These extend or explain the idea and may require a different sentence structure.
Usage distinction
Return to topRespite is temporary relief from something taxing. A reprieve can instead be a formal postponement of a penalty.
CHECK THE MEANING IN CONTEXT
See respite in use
The quiet intermission offered a respite from the crowded hall.
The group's resolve to finish the play remained firm, but its members were becoming tired. A postponement of the inspection deadline gave them a brief reprieve from the immediate pressure to complete every panel. Imani used part of that extra time to arrange a genuine respite: an evening with no rehearsal and no scenery tasks.
Compare an alternative with the original word in each passage. Shared meanings do not make every pair interchangeable.
Synonym reference scope and sources
The groups distinguish the senses selected for this study entry. Closest synonyms and broader related expressions have separate labels. The listed sources support lexical selection; not every phrase is a direct quotation from a source.
How the synonym reference was prepared / WordNet 3.0 license