Main Entry: re·lieve

Pronunciation: \ri-ˈlēv\

Function: verb

Inflected Form(s): re·lieved; re·liev·ing

Etymology: Middle English releven, from Anglo-French relever to raise, relieve, from Latin relevare, from re- + levare to raise — more at lever

Date: 14th century

transitive verb 1 a : to free from a burden : give aid or help to b : to set free from an obligation, condition, or restriction c : to ease of a burden, wrong, or oppression by judicial or legislative interposition
2 a : to bring about the removal or alleviation of : mitigate <helps relieve stress> b : rob, deprive <relieved us of our belongings>
3 a : to release from a post, station, or duty b : to take the place of <will relieve the starting pitcher>
4 : to remove or lessen the monotony of <a park relieves the urban landscape>
5 a : to set off by contrast b : to raise in relief
6 : to discharge the bladder or bowels of (oneself)intransitive verb 1 : to bring or give relief
2 : to stand out in relief
3 : to serve as a relief pitcher

— re·liev·able \-ˈlē-və-bəl\ adjective

synonyms relieve, alleviate, lighten, assuage, mitigate, allay 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>. alleviate implies temporary or partial lessening of pain or distress <the lotion alleviated the itching>. lighten implies reducing a burdensome or depressing weight <good news would lighten our worries>. assuage implies softening or sweetening what is harsh or disagreeable <ocean breezes assuaged the intense heat>. mitigate suggests a moderating or countering of the effect of something violent or painful <the need to mitigate barbaric laws>. allay implies an effective calming or soothing of fears or alarms <allayed their fears>.