Antonyms for reprieve

Grammar : Noun, verb

Spell : ri-preev

Phonetic Transcription : rɪˈpriv

Definition of reprieve

Origin : 1570s, reprive, "take back to prison," alteration (perhaps by influence of reprove) of Middle English repryen "to remand, detain" (late 15c.), probably from Middle French repris, past participle of reprendre "take back" (see reprise). Meaning "to suspend an impending execution" is recorded from 1590s; this sense evolved because being sent back to prison was the alternative to being executed. Spelling with -ie- is from 1640s, perhaps by analogy of achieve, etc. Related: Reprieved; reprieving.

noun relief of blame, responsibility
verb relieve of blame, responsibility

Example sentences :

He had got a reprieve, or a respite, and he felt like a boy--another kind of boy from what he had ever been.
Extract from : « Questionable Shapes » by William Dean Howells

It might have been the gasp of the condemned man at the sound of the word “reprieve.”
Extract from : « The Twins of Suffering Creek » by Ridgwell Cullum

But even if she did go it was a reprieve; it gave him one last opportunity.
Extract from : « Once to Every Man » by Larry Evans

The crying need of an imperiled republic could not reprieve him.
Extract from : « Harper's New Monthly Magazine, Volume 1, No. 3, August, 1850. » by Various

"Well, it is at least a reprieve," said she, with a dreary sigh; and they retired.
Extract from : « Luttrell Of Arran » by Charles James Lever

It is like a reprieve arriving when the victim was on the scaffold.
Extract from : « Luttrell Of Arran » by Charles James Lever

It was like a reprieve to a man on the very steps of the scaffold!
Extract from : « Sir Brook Fossbrooke, Volume II. » by Charles James Lever

In his reprieve he was like some wild thing that had regained liberty.
Extract from : « Mark Twain, A Biography, 1835-1910, Complete » by Albert Bigelow Paine

But nothing that Nan could say would win from her cousin any reprieve.
Extract from : « Nan of Music Mountain » by Frank H. Spearman

In his heart he had been glad of the excuse for his absence, for the few hours of reprieve.
Extract from : « Nell, of Shorne Mills » by Charles Garvice

Synonyms for reprieve

Based on : Thesaurus.com - Gutenberg.org - Dictionary.com - Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019