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Definitions

take a break

VERB
catch one's breath
Synonyms
WEAK
breathe ease off mellow out recuperate relax rest sit down slow down stop for a breath take ten wind down
VERB
kick back
Synonyms
STRONGEST
lie down recline sit back take it easy unwind
WEAK
breathe easy calm down catch one's breath chill out collect oneself compose oneself cool off feel at home hang loose loosen up make oneself at home mellow out put one's feet up rest settle back sit around take a breather take a load off take ten wind down
VERB
pause
Synonyms
STRONGEST
hesitate interrupt shake waver
STRONG
cease deliberate desist discontinue drop halt reflect rest sideline suspend
WEAK
break it up call time catch one's breath come to standstill hold back put on hold stop briefly take a breather take five take ten think twice
Antonyms
STRONG
carry on continue do go keep on restart rise
WEAK
persist
VERB
recess
Synonyms
STRONGEST
adjourn break off break up dissolve terminate
STRONG
drop pigeonhole prorogue rise shake sideline
WEAK
call time drop it prorogate put on hold take a breather take five take ten
Antonyms
STRONGEST
begin open start
WEAK
continue
VERB
relax
Synonyms
STRONGEST
calm lie down loosen up recline sit back soften unwind
STRONG
laze repose rest tranquilize unbend unlax
WEAK
breathe easy calm down collect oneself compose oneself cool off ease off feel at home hang loose knock off let oneself go make oneself at home put one's feet up settle back simmer down sit around stop work take a breather take it easy take one's time take ten take time out
Antonyms
STRONGEST
agitate irritate worry
STRONG
be active energize
WEAK
excite grow increase tense
VERB
rest
Synonyms
STRONGEST
breathe lean lie down relax sit down stretch out
STRONG
doze dream drowse idle laze loaf loll lounge nap nod recline repose slack slacken slumber snooze spell unbend unlax unwind
WEAK
be at ease be comfortable compose oneself ease off ease up let down let up lie by lie still put feet up refresh oneself slack off take a nap take five take it easy take life easy take ten take time out wind down
Antonyms
STRONG
do energize
WEAK
activate be active carry out move stand walk
VERB
unwind
Synonyms
STRONGEST
sit back take it easy
STRONG
quieten recline rest
WEAK
calm down ease off loosen up quiet down slow down wind down
Antonyms
WEAK
agitate prepare ready tangle twist wind

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.

Many chart watchers view any RSI reading below 30 as indicating an “oversold” condition, which suggests a bounce could be coming as bears take a break from selling to catch their breath.

From MarketWatch • Mar. 27, 2026

In September Carole had her third hip replacement, which meant that she had to take a break from her training.

From BBC • Mar. 24, 2026

The 23-year-old has 215 ranking points to defend from reaching the quarter-finals in Miami last year, but has decided it would be best to take a break to recover fully.

From BBC • Mar. 16, 2026

Following completion of the third season of the Netflix anthology series “Easy” in 2019, for which he wrote and directed all the episodes, Swanberg was planning to take a break.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 14, 2026

“Maybe it’s time to take a break from your break.”

From "The Thing About Jellyfish" by Ali Benjamin