respite
- a delay or cessation for a time, especially of anything distressing or trying; an interval of relief: to toil without respite.
- temporary suspension of the execution of a person condemned to death; reprieve.
- to relieve temporarily, especially from anything distressing or trying; give an interval of relief from.
- to grant delay in the carrying out of (a punishment, obligation, etc.).
Origin of respite
Synonyms for respite
See more synonyms for on Thesaurus.comRelated Words for respite
reprieve, interruption, layoff, letup, downtime, hiatus, breather, recess, relief, relaxation, truce, lull, pardon, deferment, rest, deliverance, exculpation, delay, ease, breathExamples from the Web for respite
Contemporary Examples of respite
Scientific observation, rather than being a place of respite from fear, itself has become something else to rail against.
The Michigan waiver benefits include, besides the staff at home, respite care and environmental adaptations.
The Mommy Blogger Who Tried to Kill Her Autistic Daughter Talks to Dr. PhilElizabeth Picciuto
October 1, 2014
There is no respite from the destruction as I drive into the UNRWA compound.
Saint Barthélemy, my annual winter respite, is my favorite of the Caribbean islands.
Nearby businesses offered a respite from the chaos on the streets with Wi-Fi, cellphone charging, and good company.
Historical Examples of respite
He had got a reprieve, or a respite, and he felt like a boy--another kind of boy from what he had ever been.
Questionable ShapesWilliam Dean Howells
And what passion can be durable which is so violent as hers, and to which no respite is allowed?
Tales And Novels, Volume 8 (of 10)Maria Edgeworth
Somebody played something on the piano, and this was, in a way, a respite for John.
A Woman IntervenesRobert Barr
For them, there were no “weak, piping times of peace,”––no respite from danger.
Chronicles of Border WarfareAlexander Scott Withers
The priest thanked God for the respite He had been pleased to vouchsafe to him.
Abbe Mouret's TransgressionEmile Zola
respite
- a pause from exertion; interval of rest
- a temporary delay
- a temporary stay of execution; reprieve
- (tr) to grant a respite to; reprieve
Word Origin for respite
Word Origin and History for respite
mid-13c., from Old French respit "delay, respect" (Modern French répit), from Latin respectus "consideration, recourse, regard" (see respect (n.)).