breather

noun

ˈbrē-t͟hər How to pronounce breather (audio)
Definition of breathernext
as in pause
a momentary halt in an activity took a breather from the seemingly endless task of sorting through years of stuff stored in the attic

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of breather This is a welcome convenience on hot days or for people with back or leg issues that may need the occasional breather. — Bestreviews, Mercury News, 25 Sep. 2026 The indie studio defied convention by taking the project out in August, usually considered a dead period with many executives on vacation as the TV business takes a breather before an expected post-Labor Day influx of pitches. — Nellie Andreeva, Deadline, 18 Sep. 2026 The Patriots’ sports performance team, led by Frank Piraino, combs through the GPS numbers to determine who may need a breather. — Chad Graff, New York Times, 16 Sep. 2026 Take a breather now — things will get a bit chaotic in October. — Kyle Thomas, PEOPLE, 13 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for breather
Recent Examples of Synonyms for breather
  1. pause
  2. lull
  3. breath
  4. break
Noun
  • Trump told Congress that the pause was in the national interest but gave no further details.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 18 Oct. 2026
  • Decades later, the character helped Harris navigate a daunting first feature — including a two-week production pause to overhaul a story that was not yet working.
    — Davide Abbatescianni, Variety, 16 Oct. 2026
Definition of pause
Noun
  • New Mexico, meanwhile, is dealing with its own summer lull, dropping 93 percent year-over-year.
    — Erik Hayden, HollywoodReporter, 15 Oct. 2026
  • CalHR, in a recent PERB filing, said during two-month lull there were sidebar conversations with union officials about economic proposals, potentially including raises.
    — Corey Schmidt, Sacbee.com, 15 Oct. 2026
Definition of lull
Noun
  • At various town hall events, Sand has cited biblical passages that can be interpreted as saying that life begins at breath instead of conception.
    — Gabrielle M. Etzel, The Washington Examiner, 13 Oct. 2026
  • Rooms The sheer architectural ingenuity and stature of the main building will take your breath away.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 13 Oct. 2026
Definition of breath
Noun
  • Daily Alerts Stay informed as soon as important news breaks around Washington DC and the entire world.
    — Washington Examiner, The Washington Examiner, 17 Oct. 2026
  • Alice Mushrooms Chocolate Discovery Set Alice mushroom chocolates are for the friend who tries every single wellness trend but also loves to indulge in a daily (or nightly) chocolate break.
    — Kate Kassin, Bon Appetit Magazine, 16 Oct. 2026
Definition of break

Browse Nearby Words

breathe (out)
breather
breathers
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Cite this Entry

“Breather.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/breather. Accessed 20 Oct. 2026.

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