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 Trump made additional promises of tax cuts that could be added on top of that amount, and tariffs may be a way to alleviate them. Tobias Burns, The Hill, 23 Jan. 2025 The rain should help alleviate the bone-dry conditions that have helped spread multiple wildfires across the region this month. Hannah Parry, Newsweek, 23 Jan. 2025 As mentioned above, Everton retreated further down the pitch, leaving their lone striker increasingly isolated, and had few ways of alleviating pressure. Patrick Boyland, The Athletic, 22 Jan. 2025 Just hours after his release from prison on Thursday, Cuban opposition leader José Daniel Ferrer called on the incoming Trump administration to make no concessions to the Havana regime but at the same time help alleviate the humanitarian crisis on the island. Nora Gámez Torres, Miami Herald, 17 Jan. 2025 See all Example Sentences for alleviate 
Recent Examples of Synonyms for alleviate
Verb
  • This greens powder is said to relieve bloat, support digestion, and increased promote energy.
    Kiana Murden, Vogue, 15 Jan. 2025
  • Hormone therapy may relieve some of these, but this comes with many risks and benefits.
    Stephanie Brown, Verywell Health, 15 Jan. 2025
Verb
  • However, four Women’s Championship teams could help reverse the rule.
    Emily Olsen, The Athletic, 28 Jan. 2025
  • Jason Blum’s Blumhouse Films has, obviously, helped popularize the appeal of scare-mongering movies.
    Baz Bamigboye, Deadline, 27 Jan. 2025
Verb
  • Like a financial portfolio manager who diversifies assets to mitigate risk and maximize return, a Cultural Portfolio Manager leverages the varied racial and cultural backgrounds within an organization to create a thriving, innovative and adaptable workplace.
    David D. Ireland, Forbes, 22 Jan. 2025
  • The season will be stretched across 26 weeks, to help mitigate the need for midweek matches and accommodate the return of the beloved Decision Day.
    Melanie Anzidei, The Athletic, 22 Jan. 2025
Verb
  • Specifically, Murder in a Small Town follows Karl Alberg (Sutherland), who moves to a quiet, coastal town to soothe a psyche that has been battered by big-city police work.
    Marc Berman, Forbes, 17 Jan. 2025
  • Murder in a Small Town, whose eight-episode first season ended its Fox run in November, follows Karl Alberg (Sutherland), who moves to a quiet, coastal town to soothe a psyche that has been battered by big-city police work.
    Nellie Andreeva, Deadline, 16 Jan. 2025
Verb
  • On Tuesday, crude settled below $76 and that will hopefully help ease concerns over a return of inflation.
    JJ Kinahan, Forbes, 22 Jan. 2025
  • Though dangerous fire weather conditions have eased, officials warned of other potential risks that impacted neighborhoods, including toxic waste and hazardous electricity and gas lines.
    Taylor Wilson, USA TODAY, 21 Jan. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Alleviate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/alleviate. Accessed 30 Jan. 2025.

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