rep
rieve
Plural
reprieves
1
a temporary alleviation from harm, difficulty, or discomfort
- The cool breeze was a reprieve from the summer heat.
- The holiday provided a brief reprieve from work stress.
- Meditation gave her a reprieve from constant anxiety.
- Rain offered a welcome reprieve to the drought-stricken crops.
- The weekend trip was a reprieve from city life.
Synonyms:
2
a temporary postponement or cancellation of a punishment
- The governor granted a last-minute reprieve to the condemned prisoner, giving the legal team additional time to present new evidence.
- The court's decision to offer a reprieve allowed the young offender to participate in a rehabilitation program instead of serving a lengthy sentence.
- In the face of mounting public outcry, the judge decided to provide a reprieve, reducing the harshness of the initial sentence.
- A compassionate judge may offer a reprieve to a first-time offender, providing an opportunity for rehabilitation instead of imprisonment.
- The humanitarian reprieve extended to a terminally ill inmate allowed for compassionate release from prison to spend their final days with family.
Synonyms:
3
an interruption or temporary reduction in intensity or amount
- The storm offered a brief reprieve in the middle of the week.
- The medicine provided a reprieve from severe pain.
- The lull in fighting gave soldiers a reprieve.
- The break in production was a reprieve from constant noise.
- A reprieve in traffic allowed pedestrians to cross safely.
Synonyms: