Synonym Chooser

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

Some common synonyms of alleviate are allay, assuage, lighten, mitigate, and relieve. While all these words mean "to make something less grievous," alleviate implies temporary or partial lessening of pain or distress.

the lotion alleviated the itching

When would allay be a good substitute for alleviate?

While the synonyms allay and alleviate are close in meaning, allay implies an effective calming or soothing of fears or alarms.

allayed their fears

When is assuage a more appropriate choice than alleviate?

The meanings of assuage and alleviate largely overlap; however, assuage implies softening or sweetening what is harsh or disagreeable.

ocean breezes assuaged the intense heat

When might lighten be a better fit than alleviate?

While in some cases nearly identical to alleviate, lighten implies reducing a burdensome or depressing weight.

good news would lighten our worries

When is it sensible to use mitigate instead of alleviate?

In some situations, the words mitigate and alleviate are roughly equivalent. However, mitigate suggests a moderating or countering of the effect of something violent or painful.

the need to mitigate barbaric laws

When can relieve be used instead of alleviate?

The words relieve and alleviate are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, relieve implies a lifting of enough of a burden to make it tolerable.

took an aspirin to relieve the pain

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 alleviate Unlike traditional blue light filters that can cause a yellowish tint and distort screen colors, these certifications ensure that displays maintain accurate color performance while alleviating eye strain. George Toh, Forbes, 25 Mar. 2025 Bike Anywhere Day aims to alleviate traffic and reduce air pollution while promoting biking as a fun, sustainable, and healthy transportation choice, according to a news release. Ut Community Press, San Diego Union-Tribune, 25 Mar. 2025 Despite climbing home prices, mortgage rates have recently reported weeks of declines and inventory is growing in many parts of the country, alleviating the shortage of homes and forcing sellers to slash prices to attract still-cautious buyers. Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 22 Mar. 2025 The people and the government will do everything in their power to at least slightly alleviate their pain and help them in these most difficult moments. Mark Davis, Newsweek, 16 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for alleviate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for alleviate
Verb
  • Jones is relieved to get out of the New York fish bowl and thrilled to get a new opportunity.
    Steve Silverman, Forbes.com, 29 Mar. 2025
  • Tourist Julian Mati said he was relieved to see the king looked well.
    ASSOCIATED PRESS, Time, 28 Mar. 2025
Verb
  • Federal programs enacted during the Biden Administration, like the Inflation Reduction Act, have helped boost the country’s advanced manufacturing footprint.
    Justin Worland, Time, 28 Mar. 2025
  • For example, whenever one of the kids had a spelling bee, everyone in the car would help recite the words.
    Jeremy Rutherford, New York Times, 28 Mar. 2025
Verb
  • Devoting different parts of a model’s architecture to different kinds of knowledge helps mitigate catastrophic forgetting because new learnings can be incorporated while leaving existing parameters untouched.
    Rob Toews, Forbes, 23 Mar. 2025
  • Revealed through an approach that mitigated the infants’ movements (which have previously posed a problem for fMRI readings), this pattern of hippocampal activity and recall rang true for all 26 infants.
    Sam Walters, Discover Magazine, 20 Mar. 2025
Verb
  • Made with silicone, this teether has a variety of textures that are meant to soothe a baby’s sore gums.
    Laura Lu, Parents, 29 Mar. 2025
  • Crafting and DIYs have surged this year, thanks to a rise in adult hobbies as people look for soothing ways to fill their free time.
    Sophia Beams, Better Homes & Gardens, 27 Mar. 2025
Verb
  • Automation offers relief by assisting with tasks like weapon screening, easing staff burdens and speeding operations.
    Chris Ciabarra, Forbes, 21 Mar. 2025
  • Officials have repeatedly hinted at its plan of further rate easing this year but have not yet followed through.
    Anniek Bao, CNBC, 21 Mar. 2025

Browse Nearby Words

Podcast

Cite this Entry

“Alleviate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/alleviate. Accessed 2 Apr. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on alleviate

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!