reprieve
to delay the impending punishment or sentence of (a condemned person).
to relieve temporarily from any evil.
a respite from impending punishment, as from execution of a sentence of death.
a warrant authorizing this.
any respite or temporary relief.
Origin of reprieve
1synonym study For reprieve
word story For reprieve
The current spelling reprieve, recorded more than a century later than the original spelling repry, is possibly due to the influence of the Middle English verb repreve(n) “to rebuke, condemn.”
The noun, first appearing in the late 16th century, is a simple functional shift (a change in grammatical function).
Other words for reprieve
Other words from reprieve
- re·priev·er, noun
- un·re·prieved, adjective
Words Nearby reprieve
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024
How to use reprieve in a sentence
There are a number of reasons why someone who is feeling anxious might find reprieve in horror.
Why Horror Films Are More Popular Than Ever - Issue 95: Escape | Coltan Scrivner | January 14, 2021 | NautilusIf you were expecting a bit of a reprieve in the news flow this week, forget it.
The cloud of impeachment hangs over the markets—even Bitcoin is sinking | Bernhard Warner | January 11, 2021 | FortuneThe governor said $75 million worth of loans to small businesses will be forgiven and converted into grants, and companies will get a reprieve on an expected increase in unemployment taxes.
Va. governor imposes curfew while toughening restrictions; Maryland counties cut indoor dining | Laura Vozzella, Rachel Chason, Erin Cox, Michael Brice-Saddler | December 10, 2020 | Washington PostAll of the day’s dockets were canceled, giving them a brief reprieve until their rescheduled hearing date in December.
Logging in to get kicked out: Inside America’s virtual eviction crisis | Eileen Guo | December 2, 2020 | MIT Technology ReviewHanded a reprieve, Tagovailoa helped move the Dolphins 54 more yards downfield, and running back Jordan Howard finished things off with a two-yard touchdown run.
Steelers stay unbeaten, Chargers drop another heartbreaker in NFL Week 9 | Cindy Boren, Mark Maske, Des Bieler | November 9, 2020 | Washington Post
When POTUS asked Malia if she wanted to pet the turkey before he granted its reprieve, she responded appropriately: “Nah.”
The procedure was captured on-camera and released by the human rights organization, reprieve.
From Public Enemy to Power Broker: Hip-Hop’s the New Global Pop Culture | Lauren DeLisa Coleman | September 27, 2014 | THE DAILY BEASTHickenlooper had granted Dunlap a temporary reprieve in 2013, which amounted to a half-measure that made nobody happy.
But six months into his probation, Bartiromo asked the judge presiding over his case for a reprieve.
There were moments of reprieve, then the boiling water again.
No Sex For Six Weeks After Giving Birth? It’s Too Long! | Aurora Snow | December 27, 2013 | THE DAILY BEASTSo Thyrsis went home to Corydon, as one who brings a reprieve to a prisoner under sentence of death.
Love's Pilgrimage | Upton SinclairAnguish of the accused awaiting the decision of his judges—life, death, reprieve, or pardon!
The Nabob | Alphonse DaudetIf no reprieve could be obtained, no commutation of the sentence, he would speak out and set Andrew Westwood free.
A Life Sentence | Adeline SergeantI wanted a day's reprieve, and I have gained it—gained a day, spent in most agreeable conversation, for which I thank you.
Tales And Novels, Volume 3 (of 10) | Maria EdgeworthThey were placed under the gallows with the ropes round their necks, when a reprieve arrived.
Bygone London | Frederick Ross
British Dictionary definitions for reprieve
/ (rɪˈpriːv) /
to postpone or remit the punishment of (a person, esp one condemned to death)
to give temporary relief to (a person or thing), esp from otherwise irrevocable harm: the government has reprieved the company with a huge loan
a postponement or remission of punishment, esp of a person condemned to death
a warrant granting a postponement
a temporary relief from pain or harm; respite
the act of reprieving or the state of being reprieved
Origin of reprieve
1Derived forms of reprieve
- reprievable, adjective
- repriever, noun
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
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