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Definitions

give a break

VERB
hire
Synonyms
STRONGEST
appoint bring in draft employ engage enlist lease obtain pick promise rent retain select
STRONG
authorize book carry charter delegate empower exploit ink let occupy place pledge procure secure sublease sublet utilize
WEAK
add to payroll bring on board contract for fill a position find help give job to give work make use of put on put to work sign on sign up take on truck with
Antonyms
STRONGEST
dismiss fire let go lose refuse reject release shun
STRONG
cancel
WEAK
discharge lay off
VERB
relieve
Synonyms
STRONGEST
assist
STRONG
aid spell succor support sustain
WEAK
bring aid give a hand give a rest stand in (for) substitute for take over from take the place of
Antonyms
WEAK
accuse blame burden condemn discourage harm hurt injure pain trouble upset worry
VERB
rescue
Synonyms
STRONGEST
extricate free keep liberate preserve protect recapture recover release retrieve salvage
STRONG
conserve deliver disembarrass disentangle emancipate manumit ransom redeem regain retain safeguard spring unleash unloose
WEAK
bail one out get off the hook get out get out of hock hold over pull out of the fire save life of set free
Antonyms
STRONGEST
give harm hold hurt injure limit lose restrain
STRONG
forfeit imprison spend
WEAK
imperil
VERB
save
Synonyms
STRONGEST
deliver free recover salvage
STRONG
defend emancipate extricate liberate ransom redeem spring unchain
WEAK
bail out come to rescue get off the hook get out of hock pull out of fire save one's neck set free unshackle
Antonyms
STRONGEST
confine hold limit lose restrain
STRONG
abandon
WEAK
endanger harm hurt leave open make vulnerable squander throw away waste
VERB
spare
Synonyms
STRONGEST
excuse exempt leave pardon refrain from
STRONG
absolve discharge dispense forbear pity release relent spring
WEAK
bail out be lenient be merciful get off the hook get out of hock give quarter to go easy on let go let off privilege from pull out of the fire relieve from save bacon save from save neck

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

American will give a break to customers whose bags are slightly overweight or oversized.

From Seattle Times • Feb. 20, 2024

The federal financial aid formula used to give a break to families with two or more children in college at a time.

From New York Times • Feb. 13, 2024

At one point, also, the Chilean sea bass, suddenly it was so popular, it was endangered, and we had to give a break to the fish.

From Salon • Oct. 4, 2023

But it’s possible a property manager would give a break to get the tenant they want.

From Washington Post • May 3, 2022

When the stakes were much higher for people with far less, whom did she give a break to?

From The Guardian • Mar. 13, 2019

From Roget's 21st Century Thesaurus, Third Edition Copyright © 2013 by the Philip Lief Group.