Search
Select the dictionary language
Reprieve
01
a temporary alleviation from harm, difficulty, or discomfort
Grammatical Information
Animacy status
Abstract
Composition
Compound
Countable
Plural form
reprieves
Examples
The cool breeze was a reprieve from the summer heat.
02
a temporary postponement or cancellation of a punishment
Examples
The governor granted a last-minute reprieve to the condemned prisoner, giving the legal team additional time to present new evidence.
03
an interruption or temporary reduction in intensity or amount
Examples
The storm offered a brief reprieve in the middle of the week.
to reprieve
01
relieve temporarily
Grammatical Information
Composition
derived
Action verb
Regular
Present tense
reprieve
3rd person singular
reprieves
Present participle
reprieving
Past simple
reprieved
Past participle
reprieved
02
to delay or cancel a punishment, especially an execution
Examples
The prisoner was reprieved.
