breathing space vs respite

breathing space and respite both are nouns.

Word	Noun	Adjective	Verb	Adverb
breathing space	Yes	No	No	No
respite	Yes	No	Yes	No

As nouns, respite is a hypernym of breathing space; that is, respite is a word with a broader meaning than breathing space:

Other hypernyms of breathing space include relief, rest, rest period.

breathing space (noun)	respite (noun)
sufficient room for easy breathing or movement	a pause from doing something (as work)
a short respite	the act of reprieving; postponing or remitting punishment
	an interruption in the intensity or amount of something
	a (temporary) relief from harm or discomfort
	a pause for relaxation

breathing space (verb)	respite (verb)
	postpone the punishment of a convicted criminal, such as an execution