[go: up one dir, main page]

relieve

Definition of relievenext

Synonym Chooser

How is the word relieve different from other verbs like it?

Some common synonyms of relieve are allay, alleviate, assuage, lighten, and mitigate. While all these words mean "to make something less grievous," relieve implies a lifting of enough of a burden to make it tolerable.

took an aspirin to relieve the pain

When is it sensible to use allay instead of relieve?

The words allay and relieve can be used in similar contexts, but allay implies an effective calming or soothing of fears or alarms.

allayed their fears

When would alleviate be a good substitute for relieve?

Although the words alleviate and relieve have much in common, alleviate implies temporary or partial lessening of pain or distress.

the lotion alleviated the itching

When could assuage be used to replace relieve?

The synonyms assuage and relieve are sometimes interchangeable, but assuage implies softening or sweetening what is harsh or disagreeable.

ocean breezes assuaged the intense heat

When might lighten be a better fit than relieve?

The words lighten and relieve are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, lighten implies reducing a burdensome or depressing weight.

good news would lighten our worries

When is mitigate a more appropriate choice than relieve?

While in some cases nearly identical to relieve, mitigate suggests a moderating or countering of the effect of something violent or painful.

the need to mitigate barbaric laws

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of relieve In 2025, Brinkley told Fox News Digital she was relieved that D’Angelo stepped in and saved her from stripping down. Stephanie Nolasco, FOXNews.com, 7 Jan. 2026 These topical patches stick to the back of your ear or around your navel and release a natural blend of essential oils to relieve nausea. Amelia McBride, Travel + Leisure, 6 Jan. 2026 Even so, many said they were relieved that Maduro was finally being held to account. Julia Prodis Sulek, Mercury News, 6 Jan. 2026 She was rushed into emergency surgery to relieve pressure in her brain. Wendy Grossman Kantor, PEOPLE, 6 Jan. 2026 See All Example Sentences for relieve
Recent Examples of Synonyms for relieve
Verb
  • Under Obamacare, both states were able to expand Medicaid to include more low-income residents, alleviating counties of patient loads and redirecting much of their funding for the patchwork of local programs that provided bare-bones services.
    KFF Health News, Oc Register, 6 Jan. 2026
  • Reducing caffeine intake can enhance nutrient absorption and alleviate specific digestive symptoms, including discomfort and diarrhea.
    Ashley Olivine, Verywell Health, 5 Jan. 2026
Verb
  • That includes money to replace a lot of wood that rotted away due to holes in the roof and walls.
    Mark Price, Charlotte Observer, 12 Jan. 2026
  • Jon Lester, replaced with Price, for example.
    Gabrielle Starr, Boston Herald, 12 Jan. 2026
Verb
  • Conversely, collision coverage helps when your own car is damaged in a crash, whereas medical coverage helps cover treatment costs following an accident.
    Ethan M. Stone, Miami Herald, 9 Jan. 2026
  • Additional mortgage purchases by Fannie Mae and Freddie could temporarily help lower mortgage costs, but that approach also could have unintended consequences, according to TD Securities analysts.
    CBS News, CBS News, 9 Jan. 2026
Verb
  • Pots, pans, trays, and lots of utensils can be shoved onto oven shelves to free up counter and kitchen table space.
    Lauren Landers, The Spruce, 12 Jan. 2026
  • The engine, freed from its hook by a sudden hard, precise kick, quickly sank into the river, pulling the cord tight and dragging the foreman underwater.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 12 Jan. 2026
Verb
  • Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, are among six defendants named in a four-count superseding indictment that accused them of conspiring with violent, dangerous drug traffickers for the last 25 years.
    Max Zahn, ABC News, 7 Jan. 2026
  • California leads all states in trying to regulate AI, and is expected to fight against the president’s recent executive order to develop federal laws around AI that would supersede state laws.
    Levi Sumagaysay, Mercury News, 6 Jan. 2026
Verb
  • One cozy meal to consider is the Beijing Noodle Soup at Honey Buns Cafe II, which comes with pork, noodles and a variety of vegetables to soothe your cravings for comfort food.
    Heidi Finley, Charlotte Observer, 12 Jan. 2026
  • At the same time, hyaluronic acid—the gold standard for hydration—locks in moisture, soothes inflammation, and reduces texture, creating a soft, plump finish.
    Alyssa Morin, InStyle, 12 Jan. 2026
Verb
  • But efforts to mitigate human harms—restricting harvests, remodeling dams, breeding salmon in hatcheries—are yielding diminishing returns.
    Katherine J. Wu, The Atlantic, 7 Jan. 2026
  • Adding milk to coffee may help mitigate this effect.
    Fran Kritz, Verywell Health, 7 Jan. 2026
Verb
  • The Panthers will look to establish their run game to ease pressure on Bryce Young.
    Mike Jones, New York Times, 10 Jan. 2026
  • The review also supports earlier findings that gum chewing can ease stress, but only in certain situations.
    Deirdre Bardolf, FOXNews.com, 10 Jan. 2026

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Relieve.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/relieve. Accessed 12 Jan. 2026.

More from Merriam-Webster on relieve

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!