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 This design uses zero-gravity support and preset positions to help alleviate lumbar pain and snoring. Nashia Baker, Architectural Digest, 10 Oct. 2025 The autonomous vehicle partnership follows the launch of Musk’s Boring Company plans to build an underground tunnel from downtown Nashville to Nashville International Airport to alleviate traffic. Laura L. Davis, Nashville Tennessean, 10 Oct. 2025 These fluctuations may increase the chances of rain, which could help alleviate the ongoing drought in the area. Robert A. Cronkleton, Kansas City Star, 9 Oct. 2025 The suede upper features a breathable, perforated design, while the interior boasts the brand’s signature built-in arch support insole, which helps alleviate heel pain and keeps you comfortable throughout the day. Melony Forcier, Travel + Leisure, 8 Oct. 2025 See All Example Sentences for alleviate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for alleviate
Verb
  • The unexpected move left contestants relieved but on edge, knowing that one misstep next week could cost them a double penalty.
    Amanda Castro, MSNBC Newsweek, 15 Oct. 2025
  • Interesting conversations with friends may relieve stress, while networking or several surface-level interactions are more likely to exhaust you, Wood says.
    Megan Sauer, CNBC, 14 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • By platforming industry experts and passionate entrepreneurs, Ducard is helping Pinterest expand into new arenas.
    Emma Burleigh, Fortune, 16 Oct. 2025
  • The findings could help improve forecasts of how radioactive materials are released from storage over thousands of years.
    Prabhat Ranjan Mishra, Interesting Engineering, 16 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • Tech’s emission-reducing capabilities couldn’t come at a more important time for a global fashion industry trying to mitigate its considerable environmental impact.
    Jennifer Bringle, Sourcing Journal, 14 Oct. 2025
  • Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins previously signaled that farmworkers could receive revenue generated from tariffs to mitigate the rise in costs.
    Ashleigh Fields, The Hill, 14 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • Glacial water helps rebalance minerals, squalane restores suppleness, and olive leaf extract soothes redness and helps keep breakouts in check with its anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial properties.
    Christa Joanna Lee, Allure, 18 Oct. 2025
  • Pottery Barn’s outlet is filled with cozy fall quilts for every bed size and an array of seasonal hues, from soothing neutrals to dark statement colors.
    Caley Sturgill, Southern Living, 18 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • Key Takeaways Cumin, coriander, and fennel may ease bloating and gas by supporting digestion.
    Stephanie Brown, Verywell Health, 17 Oct. 2025
  • Meanwhile, worries about oversupply have pressured the oil market, with the price of Brent and WTI both at near five-month lows – potentially easing the inflation burden for Americans, if gas prices follow oil prices lower.
    David Goldman, CNN Money, 17 Oct. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Alleviate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/alleviate. Accessed 20 Oct. 2025.

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