Definitions

take a break

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catch one's breath v.
kick back v.
pause v.
recess v.
relax v.
rest v.
unwind v.

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.

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take a break

“You can take a break whenever you want,” he said, watching a small goldfish circle a glass bowl on his desk in the Honghub community.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 20, 2026

I’m filling in for Ian today, so let’s take a break from the usual ignominies we cover on the Slatest to talk about something completely different.

From Slate ● Aug. 28, 2026

“So, we’re going to take a break until we return to the Westgate Las Vegas on October 8th. When I’ll be singing like a bird. I hope to see you then.”

From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 26, 2026

OpenAI is also introducing regular reminders for young people to take a break from using the tool, reminding them ChatGPT is AI, and saying "it can wait".

From BBC ● Aug. 18, 2026

Sherman called on a Saturday in April, saying we needed to take a break from rocket-building and go to the Dugout.

From "October Sky" by Homer Hickam

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