pause vs respite

pause and respite both are nouns.

Word	Noun	Adjective	Verb	Adverb
pause	Yes	No	Yes	No
respite	Yes	No	Yes	No

As nouns, respite is a hyponym of pause; that is, respite is a word with a more specific, narrower meaning than pause:

Other hyponyms of pause include break, recess, time out, falter, faltering, hesitation, waver, intermission, freeze, halt.

As nouns, respite is a hyponym of pause; that is, respite is a word with a more specific, narrower meaning than pause:

pause: a time interval during which there is a temporary cessation of something
respite: a pause for relaxation

pause (noun)	respite (noun)
temporary inactivity	a pause from doing something (as work)
a time interval during which there is a temporary cessation of something	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

pause (verb)	respite (verb)
cease an action temporarily	postpone the punishment of a convicted criminal, such as an execution
interrupt temporarily an activity before continuing