Meaning 1
To stop activity and allow body or mind to recover.
Reach for it when describing necessary recovery rather than laziness or avoidance
The porters rested in the shade before the steep descent.
Meaning 2
To be supported by or depend on something.
Reach for it when describing the foundation on which a claim, weight, or responsibility depends
The recommendation rests on three independent measurements.
| Meaning 1 | Meaning 2 | |
|---|---|---|
| everyday | ||
| professional | ||
| formal | ||
| literary |
everyday
pause
Fits when activity stops briefly
Careful A pause may be too short to restore energy.
everyday
Fits when easing tension is the desired result
Careful Relaxing need not involve stopping activity.
everyday
sleep
Fits when unconscious bodily restoration is meant
Careful Rest can be wakeful and still effective.
formal
Fits when recovery after illness or severe strain is central
Careful Recuperation is more serious than ordinary rest.
literary
Fits when quiet dignified rest suits the prose
Careful Repose is too elevated for practical advice.
everyday
sit
Fits when an object is physically supported on a surface
Careful Sit describes position, not justification or responsibility.
professional
be based
Fits when evidence or principles form the foundation
Careful This phrase does not suit physical weight.
professional
depend
Fits when an outcome requires a condition
Careful Depend expresses contingency rather than physical support.
professional
rely
Fits when trust in support is central
Careful Rely usually takes an active subject and may imply confidence.
rest properly
Athletes need to rest properly after repeated sprint work.
rest for a while
We can rest for a while beside the marked spring.
rest on evidence
Every public claim should rest on evidence.
responsibility rests
Final responsibility rests with the elected board.
Definitions and examples are written for this site. How words are chosen Recording: Dvortygirl, American accent, from Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0 Updated
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