relieve

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 If your ulcer is due to irritation from a personal care product, stopping that product should relieve your symptoms.3 People with vaginal ulcers also often experience symptoms like burning, pain, and itching. Wendy Wisner, Health, 28 Feb. 2025 The snowpack has been above average for the past two years, which helped relieve a yearslong drought plaguing the Golden State. Dan Perry, Newsweek, 28 Feb. 2025 Despite the shock, Delfin was relieved the crash happened in the early morning, when the streets were nearly empty, rather than later in the day when children would be walking to nearby Public School 330, just three blocks from the crash site. Elizabeth Keogh, New York Daily News, 26 Feb. 2025 Book said she was relieved when Pike said her relationship with Holder was going well. Pj Green, Kansas City Star, 25 Feb. 2025 See All Example Sentences for relieve
Recent Examples of Synonyms for relieve
Verb
  • My skin drinks this stuff up, and has alleviated many of my complexion woes—think: uneven skin tone, loss of firmness, and excess oil production—with consistent use.
    Kiana Murden, Vogue, 4 Mar. 2025
  • But measures that are imposed too quickly or by shaky institutions could lead to outcomes that lack fairness, transparency, and legitimacy and may ultimately deepen, rather than alleviate, social divisions and mistrust in the state.
    PATRICK VINCK, Foreign Affairs, 4 Mar. 2025
Verb
  • Canada’s next leader Mark Carney has been elected leader of Canada’s Liberal Party in a months-long, high-stakes race to replace Justin Trudeau.
    Tricia Escobedo, CNN, 10 Mar. 2025
  • Boasting three-in-one benefits, this captured the heart of Vogue’s Mai Morsch and replaced her entire skin-care routine back in 2020.
    Kiana Murden, Vogue, 10 Mar. 2025
Verb
  • After writhing on the ground for a few minutes, Irving was helped to the free-throw line and channeled his inner Kobe: Chills.
    Stan Son, The Athletic, 5 Mar. 2025
  • Kickstarter has helped support more than 88,000 projects in its film and video category since the company was founded in 2009.
    Cynthia Littleton, Variety, 4 Mar. 2025
Verb
  • But Jordan says the money freed up within a few days.
    Debbie Elliott, NPR, 4 Mar. 2025
  • The European Union will free up $840 billion in funding to funnel into defense across the bloc, European Commission chief Ursula von der Leyen announced on Tuesday.
    Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 4 Mar. 2025
Verb
  • Aurora Phelps is in custody in Mexico and has been charged in a 21-count superseding indictment for the deadly scam, the United States Attorney's Office for the District of Nevada said in a press release on Friday, Feb. 21.
    Bailey Richards, People.com, 22 Feb. 2025
  • This motion, filed on Tuesday (Feb. 18), came after a superseding indictment was issued last month which added two new victims to his case.
    Regina Cho, VIBE.com, 21 Feb. 2025
Verb
  • But if being on the move soothes her, being in Milan is what excites her creativity.
    Meredith Lepore, Robb Report, 6 Mar. 2025
  • Cucumber Spritz Facial Spray (118 ml) – An alcohol-free mist designed to soothe, hydrate, and relax.
    Claire Franken, TVLine, 3 Mar. 2025
Verb
  • Spotting these signs as soon as possible can help mitigate other potential issues, such as overwatering areas of the yard, underwatering entire sprinkler zones, or increasing water bills.
    Timothy Dale, Better Homes & Gardens, 11 Mar. 2025
  • Talk to your allergist – are there ways of helping to mitigate the impact of potential exposure?
    R. Eric Thomas, Chicago Tribune, 11 Mar. 2025
Verb
  • Offer Remote Work Rewards One way HR leaders can ease return-to-office pushback is by giving employees more control.
    Expert Panel®, Forbes, 11 Mar. 2025
  • Research suggests that bromelain has anti-inflammatory properties and helps ease sore throats and clear sinuses.
    Julie Marks, Verywell Health, 10 Mar. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Relieve.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/relieve. Accessed 15 Mar. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on relieve

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