Definition of alleviate
alleviated
;alleviating
From the M-W Editors
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
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And a sensor system could potentially alleviate concerns that many Texans have about building a physical wall along the Rio Grande, including worries about massive flooding, loss of wildlife and the government seizure of private property.
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Fourteen billionaires joined Bill Gates and Warren Buffett in giving away more than half their money to causes focused on alleviating poverty, education, health care research, climate change and the environment.
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Scott continued, noting state funding for projects to restore the Everglades, alleviate flooding and replace beach sand.
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Just a few days earlier Woods announced that his most recent surgery had finally alleviated his back pain.
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The Gary Sanitary District portion of the project includes construction of a new 24-inch steel sanitary sewer force main that officials said would alleviate frequent breaks that occurred in the old piping.
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These properties also usually provide free shuttles to and from the event, alleviating the hassles of navigating through traffic and finding parking.
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To alleviate crowding, each weekday afternoon at 1:30, prisoners in chains are walked into a courtroom in the jail complex at the Albert Riederer Community Justice Complex for what’s informally called the population control docket.
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Chocolate can alleviate anxiety, according to a 2009 study during which anxious people who ate 40 grams of chocolate (about five squares) every day for two weeks experienced lower levels of the stress hormone cortisol than before the intervention.
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
First Known Use: 15th century
Synonym Discussion of alleviate
ALLEVIATE Defined for English Language Learners
alleviate
playDefinition of alleviate for English Language Learners
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: to reduce the pain or trouble of (something) : to make (something) less painful, difficult, or severe
ALLEVIATE Defined for Kids
alleviate
playDefinition of alleviate for Students
alleviated
;alleviating
: to make less painful, difficult, or severe A good long rest alleviated her headache.
Medical Dictionary
Learn More about alleviate
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See words that rhyme with alleviate Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for alleviate Spanish Central: Translation of alleviate Nglish: Translation of alleviate for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of alleviate for Arabic speakers
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