alleviate

verb al·le·vi·ate \ ə-ˈlē-vē-ˌāt \

|Updated on: 15 Jun 2018

Tip: Synonym Guide

Examples: alleviate in a Sentence

Editor's Note: Where Does The Word alleviate Come From?

Definition of alleviate

alleviated; alleviating

transitive verb

: relieve, lessen: such as

a : to make (something, such as suffering) more bearable

Her sympathy alleviated his distress.

b : to partially remove or correct (something undesirable)

measures taken to alleviate a labor shortage

—

alleviation

play \-ˌlē-vē-ˈā-shən\ noun

—

alleviator

play \-ˈlē-vē-ˌā-tər\ noun

See alleviate defined for English-language learners

See alleviate defined for kids

alleviate was our Word of the Day on 08/19/2017. Hear the podcast!

Examples of alleviate in a Sentence

For decades, as you probably know, researchers have found that when you tell patients that you're giving them medicine, many report that their symptoms are alleviated, even if they're only taking sugar pills. —Daniel Zwerdling, Gourmet, August 2004
Granholm has spent the morning giving a major public address on state finance issues, courting local officials in meetings, and, in between, talking with me. We'd discussed the state of the Michigan economy and her ideas for developing a new high-tech corridor outside Detroit that focuses on homeland security innovation; we went over her ideas for alleviating overcrowding in the state's emergency rooms. —Jonathan Cohn, New Republic, 14 Oct. 2002
When applied in ointment form, capsaicin helps alleviate the discomfort of arthritis and psoriasis. Taken internally as a diluted tincture, it helps keep the blood flowing smoothly and strengthens the cardiovascular system. —Nina Simonds, Gourmet, September 2002
Ridley, a British journalist with a doctoral degree in zoology, does touch on the incredible potential of genetics for alleviating human misery. … But much of his remarkable book is focused on a higher plane of pure intellectual discovery. —Lee M. Silver, New York Times Book Review, 27 Feb. 2000
Before discussing what must be done to alleviate the environmental and social crises afflicting the globe, Chief Oren Lyons … of the Turtle Clan of the Onondaga Nation, wanted to drive to a gym in Syracuse, New York, and watch his son shadowbox. —Paul Schneider, Audubon, March/April 1994
finding ways to alleviate stress
a car pool alleviates some of the stress of driving the kids to and from school every day
Where was someone to alleviate this robbery of his life? —“The End of the World” P. 531, THE BOOK THIEF, Markus Zusak, Alfred A. Knopf, N.Y. © 2005
The relationship between king and parliament went nowhere. Bitter speeches were made on both sides, which James’s late attempts at mollification did little to alleviate. —“Four” P. 64, GOD’S SECRETARIES, Adam Nicolson, HarperCollins Publishers Inc., 220.5 N54g ©2003
“I’m feeding a lot of excitement myself.” In fact, I felt an instant euphoria at Kimmery’s alleviating presence. If this was the prospect of Zen I was ready to begin my training. —“One Mind” P. 194, MOTHERLESS BROOKLYN [fiction], Jonathan Lethem, Vintage Books 813.54 L34m (1999) 2001

Recent Examples of alleviate from the Web

Once a skin rash has developed, the Mayo Clinic advises you to apply cortizone cream and calamine lotion for the first few days to alleviate pain.

— timothy dahl, Popular Mechanics, "How to Get Rid of Poison Ivy," 4 June 2018
But the pressure from the fibroids felt like a stack of bricks bearing down on my cervix, and to alleviate the pain, I was told to lie with my hips elevated.

— aileen weintraub, Glamour, "My High-Risk Pregnancy Almost Plunged Me Into Financial Ruin," 11 May 2018
Long meditations on the ethical quandaries that their situation presents surely do little to alleviate their pain.

— dylan scott, Vox, "What we can learn from the heartbreaking Alfie Evans case — and what we can’t," 27 Apr. 2018
The process is said to help alleviate pain and emotional distress.

— kate bennis, Good Housekeeping, "How Dog Acupuncture Could Change Your Pet's Life," 27 Apr. 2018
Some candidates would rather have subsidies that alleviate pain for their farmers than stick to party orthodoxy — at least between now and November.

— NBC News, "GOP faces rural rebellion over Trump trade agenda," 21 Apr. 2018
He was prescribed hydrocodone to alleviate the pain from a back injury caused at work.

— matt ford, The New Republic, "Will the Supreme Court Rein in Civil Forfeiture?," 17 Apr. 2018
Into that void, various entrepreneurs have tried to quietly supply recreational users, and medical patients who use the plant to alleviate their pain, while tiptoeing around the law.

— tauhid chappell, Washington Post, "In the murky world of D.C. marijuana law, ‘pop-up’ markets thrive," 26 Mar. 2018
Proponents say the therapy is effective at treating various diseases and alleviating pain.

— cydney henderson, azcentral, "Journal: Woman dies after 'bee acupuncture' treatment," 20 Mar. 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'alleviate.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Where Does The Word alleviate Come From?

Alleviate derives from the past participle of Late Latin alleviare ("to lighten or relieve"), which in turn was formed by combining the prefix ad- and the adjective "levis," a Latin word meaning "light" or "having little weight." ("Levis" comes from the same ancient word that gave rise to "light" in English.) We acquired "alleviate" in the 15th century, and for the first few centuries the word could mean either "to cause (something) to have less weight" or "to make (something) more tolerable." The literal "make lighter" sense is no longer used, however, so today we have only the "relieve" sense. Incidentally, not only is "alleviate" a synonym of "relieve," it's also a cousin; "relieve" comes from "levare" ("to raise"), which in turn comes from "levis."

Origin and Etymology of alleviate

Late Latin alleviatus, past participle of alleviare, from Latin ad- + levis light — more at light

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 15th century

in the meaning defined above

See Words from the same year

alleviate Synonyms

Synonym Discussion of alleviate

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.