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
Related Words
Relevance
Dissimilar Words
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 respite
With temperatures as much as 10 degrees cooler than nearby cities like Atlanta and Chattanooga, Blue Ridge, Georgia, can provide some respite from the dog days of summer.
—
Lisa Cericola, Southern Living, 25 June 2025
Apartment residents who need Red Cross assistance and services can visit the respite center or call 1-800-RED-CROSS (1-800-733-2767).
—Fousia Abdullahi, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 24 June 2025
In an Edwardian manor near Grosvenor Square—where sprawling shopping destinations Regents Street and New Bond Street are there for window gawking—the 31 rooms prove to be a welcome respite from city noise.
—Katharine Sohn, Architectural Digest, 16 June 2025
Rome’s Villa Pamphili Park with its ornate flowerbeds, lawns and walkways is the Italian capital’s largest landscaped garden and a place of respite for the local population as temperatures soar in the summer.
—Melanie Goodfellow, Deadline, 24 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for respite
Lisa Cericola, Southern Living, 25 June 2025
Apartment residents who need Red Cross assistance and services can visit the respite center or call 1-800-RED-CROSS (1-800-733-2767).
—Fousia Abdullahi, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 24 June 2025
In an Edwardian manor near Grosvenor Square—where sprawling shopping destinations Regents Street and New Bond Street are there for window gawking—the 31 rooms prove to be a welcome respite from city noise.
—Katharine Sohn, Architectural Digest, 16 June 2025
Rome’s Villa Pamphili Park with its ornate flowerbeds, lawns and walkways is the Italian capital’s largest landscaped garden and a place of respite for the local population as temperatures soar in the summer.
—Melanie Goodfellow, Deadline, 24 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for respite
Recent Examples of Synonyms for respite
Noun
-
Say the weekend prior to the final weekend prior to the All-Star break.—
Dan Freedman,
Forbes.com,
15 July 2025
-
Live With Kelly & Mark took a temporary break from morning TV spiciness to douse the flames of their typically steamy 9 a.m. passions with the tears of longtime producer Michael Gelman.—
EW.com,
EW.com,
15 July 2025
Noun
-
Even though no funding has been cut, Jackson condemned the administration, contending the effect of the pause is going to be massive and could result in North Carolina firing about 1,000 educators.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
14 July 2025
-
Decisions are made, the next task appears, and there’s little pause to examine what worked or what missed.—
Vibhas Ratanjee,
Forbes.com,
14 July 2025
Noun
-
In the depths of life’s lulls, it was forgotten, left in a bun for days, dry, untouched.—
Sophie Meharenna,
Allure,
2 July 2025
-
Allocations will be adjusted dynamically with gold exposure increasing during crypto market downturns, and bitcoin exposure increasing when gold is in a lull period.—
Aaron Stanley,
Forbes.com,
30 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“Respite.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/respite. Accessed 19 Jul. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share