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V2 Vocabulary Building Dictionary


reprieve

noun, verb

Definition: (n.) 1. an official order to delay or stop a punishment, especially corporal; 2. an interruption or temporary relief from something, especially pain or discomfort; (v.) 1. to postpone punishment; 2. to relieve temporarily

Synonyms: (n.) abatement, mitigation, alleviation, respite, pardon, stay, deferment, (v.) postpone, suspend, intermit

Antonyms: (n.) continuation, extension, (v.) continue, proceed, persist, prolong

Tips: Reprieve comes from Middle French repris, past participle of reprendre, "to take back," as in, "take back and provide relief from pain or punishment." A common use of the word reprieve is when someone receives a reprieve (pardon) from a prison sentence.

Usage Examples:

The medication gave the cancer patient a reprieve from her pain. (abatement, alleviation) noun

This injection should help provide a reprieve of your pain. (alleviation) noun

"Please reprieve my punishment," the convict begged of the judge. (postpone, suspend) verb

My two-week-long vacation was a wonderful reprieve from the stress of my job. (respite, alleviation) noun


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