1
: the state of being comfortable: such as
a
: freedom from pain or discomfort
b
: freedom from care
c
: freedom from labor or difficulty
d
: freedom from embarrassment or constraint : naturalness
known for his charm and ease of manner
e
: an easy fit
2
: relief from discomfort or obligation
3
: facility, effortlessness
did it with ease
4
: an act of easing or a state of being eased
eased; easing
1
: to free from something that pains, disquiets, or burdens
trying to ease her of her worries
2
: to make less painful : alleviate
ease his suffering
3
a
: to lessen the pressure or tension of especially by slackening, lifting, or shifting
ease a spring
b
: to maneuver gently or carefully
eased himself into the chair
c
: to moderate or reduce especially in amount or intensity
ease a flow
4
: to make less difficult
ease credit
5
a
: to put the helm of (a ship) alee
b
: to let (a helm or rudder) come back a little after having been put hard over
1
: to give freedom or relief
2
: to move or pass slowly or easily
—often used with a directional word (such as over or up)
the limo eased up in front of the house
3
a
: to become less intense, vigorous, or engaged : become moderate
—usually used with up or off
told her staff to ease up a little
expected the storm to ease off
ease up on fatty foods
b
: to apply less pressure
—usually used with up or off
ease up on the accelerator
c
: to act in a less harsh manner
—usually used with up or off
decided to ease off on enforcement
Synonyms
Examples of ease in a Sentence
Noun
the sunburn medication brought me instant ease
a gymnast who can handle even the most demanding moves on the parallel bars with total ease
Verb
trying to ease my troubled mind
The diplomats failed to ease tensions between the two nations.
Authorities are looking for ways to ease prison overcrowding.
The government is expected to ease travel restrictions.
Recent Examples on the Web
Merrell Readman, Travel + Leisure, 22 Apr. 2024
Put more time and energy into your surroundings, and build a base that puts you at ease and gives you the space to fulfill your aspirations.
—Eugenia Last, The Mercury News, 21 Apr. 2024
Sharp tumbles for oil prices lessened investors’ worries about inflation, which in turn helped Treasury yields ease.
—Elaine Kurtenbach, Quartz, 18 Apr. 2024
There was a gravity to this situation in World War II, and yet there was still this sense of play and ease within my surroundings and environment.
—Brian Davids, The Hollywood Reporter, 16 Apr. 2024
In an age of abundance, the promise of the future sold to affluent suburbanites was one of ever-greater consumer ease.
—Gideon Lewis-Kraus, The New Yorker, 15 Apr. 2024
That’s a life of warm breezes and tropical ease is all just a snap decision away.
—Kevin Jeffrey, SPIN, 12 Apr. 2024
Consider the material, thread count, breathability and ease of care when making your decision.
—Bethany Braun-Silva, ABC News, 11 Apr. 2024
When possible, always warm up the heart and ease into hard exercise.
—Bryant Stamford, The Courier-Journal, 11 Apr. 2024
Terry Castleman, Los Angeles Times, 24 Apr. 2024
To ease these economic burdens, President Biden erased trillions of dollars in debt for millions of Americans.
—TIME, 23 Apr. 2024
But community leaders are trying to ease racial tensions and channel the public’s frustrations into agitating for the greater good.
—Matt Brown, Fortune, 19 Apr. 2024
The Fenty Beauty founder’s latest comments likely won’t ease eager fans who are waiting in anticipation for more music from Rihanna.
—Carly Thomas, The Hollywood Reporter, 18 Apr. 2024
The stars were easing on down the road on Wednesday, April 17, at the opening of hit revival of The Wiz.
—Dave Quinn, Peoplemag, 18 Apr. 2024
In-season orders from wholesale customers could help ease U.S. revenue expectations, the company noted, but those are difficult to predict.
—Anne D'innocenzio, Fortune Europe, 17 Apr. 2024
Beyond social media, the ingredient is backed by science — the consistent use of hyaluronic acid serum has been proven to smooth and plump the skin, and ease the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, according to a 2021 study.
—Caroline C. Boyle, USA TODAY, 17 Apr. 2024
But by 2022, as COVID-19 pandemic restrictions eased, the business had built a regular clientele.
—Angela Palermo, Idaho Statesman, 16 Apr. 2024
Noun
Skechers Hands-Free Slip In Sneakers $75 $50 Another best-seller from Skechers, these slip-on shoes offer the support of a sneaker with the functionality and ease of a slide.
—Merrell Readman, Travel + Leisure, 22 Apr. 2024
Put more time and energy into your surroundings, and build a base that puts you at ease and gives you the space to fulfill your aspirations.
—Eugenia Last, The Mercury News, 21 Apr. 2024
Sharp tumbles for oil prices lessened investors’ worries about inflation, which in turn helped Treasury yields ease.
—Elaine Kurtenbach, Quartz, 18 Apr. 2024
There was a gravity to this situation in World War II, and yet there was still this sense of play and ease within my surroundings and environment.
—Brian Davids, The Hollywood Reporter, 16 Apr. 2024
In an age of abundance, the promise of the future sold to affluent suburbanites was one of ever-greater consumer ease.
—Gideon Lewis-Kraus, The New Yorker, 15 Apr. 2024
That’s a life of warm breezes and tropical ease is all just a snap decision away.
—Kevin Jeffrey, SPIN, 12 Apr. 2024
Consider the material, thread count, breathability and ease of care when making your decision.
—Bethany Braun-Silva, ABC News, 11 Apr. 2024
When possible, always warm up the heart and ease into hard exercise.
—Bryant Stamford, The Courier-Journal, 11 Apr. 2024
Verb
California’s soaring home values and its affordability crisis show no signs of easing.
—Terry Castleman, Los Angeles Times, 24 Apr. 2024
To ease these economic burdens, President Biden erased trillions of dollars in debt for millions of Americans.
—TIME, 23 Apr. 2024
But community leaders are trying to ease racial tensions and channel the public’s frustrations into agitating for the greater good.
—Matt Brown, Fortune, 19 Apr. 2024
The Fenty Beauty founder’s latest comments likely won’t ease eager fans who are waiting in anticipation for more music from Rihanna.
—Carly Thomas, The Hollywood Reporter, 18 Apr. 2024
The stars were easing on down the road on Wednesday, April 17, at the opening of hit revival of The Wiz.
—Dave Quinn, Peoplemag, 18 Apr. 2024
In-season orders from wholesale customers could help ease U.S. revenue expectations, the company noted, but those are difficult to predict.
—Anne D'innocenzio, Fortune Europe, 17 Apr. 2024
Beyond social media, the ingredient is backed by science — the consistent use of hyaluronic acid serum has been proven to smooth and plump the skin, and ease the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, according to a 2021 study.
—Caroline C. Boyle, USA TODAY, 17 Apr. 2024
But by 2022, as COVID-19 pandemic restrictions eased, the business had built a regular clientele.
—Angela Palermo, Idaho Statesman, 16 Apr. 2024
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'ease.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near ease
Cite this Entry
“Ease.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/ease. Accessed 27 Apr. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
ease
1 of 2 noun1
: freedom from pain or trouble : comfort of body or mind
a life of ease
2
: freedom from any feeling of difficulty or embarrassment
speak with ease
3
: skill that does not require a lot of hard work
rides a horse with ease
Medical Definition
ease
verb
eased; easing
1
: to free from something that pains, disquiets, or burdens
eased and comforted the sick
2
: to take away or lessen : alleviate
took an aspirin to ease the pain
: to give freedom or relief (as from pain or discomfort)
a hot bath often eases and relaxes
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