respite

American  

[res-pit] / ˈrɛs pɪt /

noun

1. a delay or cessation for a time, especially of anything distressing or trying; an interval of relief.

   to toil without respite.

   Synonyms:

   recess, rest, hiatus

2. temporary suspension of the execution of a person condemned to death; reprieve.

   Synonyms:

   stay, postponement

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verb (used with object)

respited, respiting

1. to relieve temporarily, especially from anything distressing or trying; give an interval of relief from.

   Synonyms:

   alleviate

2. to grant delay in the carrying out of (a punishment, obligation, etc.).

   Synonyms:

   suspend, postpone

respite British  

/ ˈrɛspɪt, -paɪt /

noun

1. a pause from exertion; interval of rest

2. a temporary delay

3. a temporary stay of execution; reprieve

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verb

1. (tr) to grant a respite to; reprieve

Other Word Forms

• respiteless
  adjective
• unrespited
  adjective

Etymology

Origin of respite

First recorded in 1200–50; (for the noun) Middle English respit, from Old French, from Latin respectus “action of looking back, consideration, regard”; (for the verb) Middle English respiten, from Old French respitier, from Latin respectāre “to await, keep looking around,” from respicere “to look back”; see respect

Explanation

A respite is a break from something that's difficult or unpleasant. If you're cramming for exams, take an occasional walk to give yourself a respite from the intensity. Respite may look like it rhymes with despite, but this word has a stress on its first syllable (RES-pit). It comes from the Latin word respectus, meaning refuge, but we almost always use respite to describe a time, not a place, of relief. If you've been fighting with your partner, a visit from a friend might offer a brief respite from the argument, but the fight will pick up again when she leaves.

Example Sentences

This will effectively give you some temporary respite before you bite the traditional bullet.

From MarketWatch • Apr. 27, 2026

A winter respite from drought was all too brief.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 17, 2026

Negotiators were taking a respite Monday morning after a Sunday mediation session that lasted from about 10 a.m. till about 9:30 p.m.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 13, 2026

More recently, mortgage rates, after a respite in January and February, rose significantly in the wake of the war in Iran.

From Barron's • Apr. 12, 2026

But Livingston had just had his brainstorm about removing the grids from the dees, and taking a respite at such a moment fit neither his personality nor Lawrence’s calendar.

From "Big Science" by Michael Hiltzik

Related Words

• breather
• breathing space
• downtime
• hiatus
• interruption
• layoff
• letup
• lull
• recess
• relaxation
• relief
• reprieve
• truce