respite

[res-pit] / ˈrɛs pɪt /

NOUN

pause, suspension in activity

Synonyms

STRONGEST

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

STRONG

acquittal adjournment break breath cessation deadlock deferment delay deliverance discharge ease exculpation five forgiveness halt immunity intermission interregnum interval leisure moratorium pardon postponement protraction release rest stay stop ten time

WEAK

coffee break time out

Antonyms

STRONGEST

continuation

STRONG

advance beginning blame censure commencement employment go hold punishment sentence start

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

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

From MarketWatch • Apr. 27, 2026

But it brings some respite for a country exhausted by the war.

From BBC • 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

This isn’t mindless entertainment, meant to give us some respite from grueling work.

From "Red Queen" by Victoria Aveyard

Vocabulary lists containing respite

"The Raven" by Edgar Allan Poe

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List 4

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"The Raven"

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