reprieve
Stay of execution
A reprieve is a temporary relief from something unpleasant, especially a postponement of punishment.
A prisoner facing execution may receive a reprieve—a delay or cancellation of the sentence.
More broadly, any brief escape from difficulty counts: The rain stopped, giving us a reprieve from the heat.
As a verb, to reprieve is to grant such relief.
Official release from punishment
- clemencyMerciful treatment of offenders
- amnestyGroup pardon from authorities
- commutationSubstitution of penalties
- stayRemain in position
acquittal · exoneration · absolution · remission · appeal · sentence · court · governor
Concern for others' distress
- leniencyMildness in punishment
- clemencyMerciful treatment of offenders
- forgivenessReleasing resentment toward offenders
- graceEffortless beauty of motion
kindness · humanity · benevolence · pity · sparing · second-chance · salvation · deliverance
Short pause from hardship
- breakInterrupt continuity
- pauseTemporary cessation of activity
- escapeFlight from captivity
- restCessation of activity
breather · interlude · relaxation · comfort · solace · ease · peace · calm
Enforced waiting period
- stayRemain in position
- suspensionTemporary halt or exclusion
- deferralAct of delaying action
- moratoriumTemporary prohibition or delay
extension · adjournment · halt · abeyance · temporary · deadline · inevitable · execution
pardon
Official release from punishment
- clemencyMerciful treatment of offenders
- amnestyGroup pardon from authorities
- commutationSubstitution of penalties
stay · acquittal · exoneration · absolution · remission · appeal · sentence · court · governor · execution
compassion
Concern for others' distress
- leniencyMildness in punishment
- clemencyMerciful treatment of offenders
- forgivenessReleasing resentment toward offenders
grace · kindness · humanity · benevolence · pity · sparing · second-chance · salvation · deliverance · intervention
respite
Short pause from hardship
rest · breather · interlude · relaxation · comfort · solace · ease · peace · calm · sanctuary
delay
Enforced waiting period
- stayRemain in position
- suspensionTemporary halt or exclusion
- deferralAct of delaying action
moratorium · extension · adjournment · halt · abeyance · temporary · deadline · inevitable · execution · countdown
- delaysdelays, delay, delayed, postponement, postpone
- mercyclemency, compassion, forgiveness, leniency, lenience
- presidencyOval Office, president, Washington, executive branch, veto
- reliefrelief, phew, whew, ease, easing
- clemencypardon, amnesty, clemency, commutation, presidential pardon
- English JusticeOld Bailey, Crown Court, jury, trial by jury, magistrates
reprieveexecution
Completing a planned task
punishment · condemnation · sentencing · conviction · death sentence
reprieveordeal
Difficult, painful experience
torment · hardship · affliction · suffering · burden
reprievefinality
State of conclusive completion
conclusion · termination · end · closure · deadline
- last minute reprieve
- daily reprieveRecurring brief exemption