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

The respite was short lived however as a cyberattack forced Jaguar Land Rover to halt production for more than a month, leading to a hit of £196 million.

From Barron's • May 14, 2026

The goal, Tafazoli said, is to enrich Coronado’s culture and give people a respite in an anxiety-ridden time.

From Los Angeles Times • May 13, 2026

Historically, road trips could offer some respite from soaring prices, but this won’t be the case.

From MarketWatch • May 13, 2026

After five years of geopolitical and economic crises, this year was expected to provide a respite for consumers, Eurocommerce’s Jotanovic said.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 7, 2026

We walked for hours through the country; our Regiment stopping only once, that those of us with shoes might lend them to such of those as marched without, and thus give them some respite.

From "The Astonishing Life of Octavian Nothing, Traitor to the Nation, Volume II: The Kingdom on the Waves" by M.T. Anderson

Related Words

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