Reprieve: meaning, definitions and examples

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reprieve

 

[ rɪˈpriːv ]

Noun / Verb
Context #1 | Noun

legal system

A reprieve is a temporary relief or delay from something unpleasant, especially a punishment. It is often granted in legal situations to postpone or cancel a sentence.

Synonyms

pardon, respite, stay

Examples of usage

  • The prisoner received a last-minute reprieve from execution.
  • The company's financial troubles were only a temporary reprieve.
Context #2 | Verb

legal system

To reprieve someone means to postpone or cancel a punishment, especially in a legal context. It is often done to grant temporary relief or delay.

Synonyms

pardon, rescue, spare

Examples of usage

  • The judge decided to reprieve the defendant's sentence.
  • The governor has the power to reprieve a prisoner's execution.

Translations

Translations of the word "reprieve" in other languages:

🇵🇹 adiamento

🇮🇳 माफी

🇩🇪 Aufschub

🇮🇩 penundaan

🇺🇦 відстрочка

🇵🇱 odroczenie

🇯🇵 猶予

🇫🇷 sursis

🇪🇸 aplazamiento

🇹🇷 erteleme

🇰🇷 유예

🇸🇦 تأجيل

🇨🇿 odklad

🇸🇰 odklad

🇨🇳 缓刑

🇸🇮 odložitev

🇮🇸 frestur

🇰🇿 кейінге қалдыру

🇬🇪 გადავადება

🇦🇿 təxirə salma

🇲🇽 aplazamiento

Word origin

The word 'reprieve' originated from late Middle English, derived from Old French 'repreve', based on Latin 're-' (expressing reversal) and 'prīmum' (first). The term has been used in legal contexts to denote a temporary relief from punishment or delay in carrying out a sentence.

Word Frequency Rank

Positioned at #22,395, this word is part of extensive vocabulary. It's relatively rare in general usage but may be important in specific fields or formal writing.