alleviate
verb
al·le·vi·ate
ə-ˈlē-vē-ˌāt 
alleviated; alleviating; alleviates
a
: to make (something, such as pain or suffering) more bearable
a drug that alleviates the symptoms
using relaxation techniques to alleviate stress
To draw customers, [Richard G.] Rosenberg became certified in pedorthics—an area that involves the design, make and modification of shoes to alleviate foot ailments.—
Dana Hedgpeth
Dana Hedgpeth
b
: to partially remove or correct (something undesirable)
government programs to alleviate poverty
Enticing retirees into the work force to alleviate the current labor shortage …—Cullen Murphy
Cullen Murphy
alleviation
noun
the alleviation of arthritic pain
… the stability of the developed world is as dependent on alleviation of problems in the third world as on the ability to keep the nuclear arms race under control.
—Carl Marcy
Carl Marcy
alleviator
noun
plural alleviators
… firefighters' camaraderie with the city and with each other is the biggest stress alleviator, [former Boston Fire Commissioner Paul] Christian said.
—Justine Hoffher
Justine Hoffher
Did you know?
Where does the word alleviate come from?
Now for a bit of light reading. Alleviate comes from Latin levis, meaning "having little weight." (Levis also gave rise to the English adjective light, as in "not heavy.") In its early days, alleviate could mean "to cause (something) to have less weight" or "to make (something) more tolerable." The literal "make lighter" sense is no longer used, and today only the "relieve" sense remains. 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.
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
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
Recent Examples on the Web
Managers often fall into this trap by micromanaging to alleviate their own anxiety, but this erodes trust.
—Brittney Van Matre, Forbes.com, 20 June 2025
Wirtz could fit brilliantly into that mould, alleviating the need to sign a top striker, a notoriously difficult market.
—David Ornstein, New York Times, 20 June 2025
Monday’s strike comes several months after French President Emmanuel Macron unveiled a comprehensive decade-long plan to overhaul the institution, with upgrades to its aging infrastructure that aim to alleviate issues such as water leaks, temperature swings, and the sheer volume of visitors.
—Blane Bachelor, AFAR Media, 18 June 2025
At first, Tolstoy attempted to alleviate the suffering of the poor through charity.
—Ben Woollard, JSTOR Daily, 18 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for alleviate
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Brittney Van Matre, Forbes.com, 20 June 2025
Wirtz could fit brilliantly into that mould, alleviating the need to sign a top striker, a notoriously difficult market.
—David Ornstein, New York Times, 20 June 2025
Monday’s strike comes several months after French President Emmanuel Macron unveiled a comprehensive decade-long plan to overhaul the institution, with upgrades to its aging infrastructure that aim to alleviate issues such as water leaks, temperature swings, and the sheer volume of visitors.
—Blane Bachelor, AFAR Media, 18 June 2025
At first, Tolstoy attempted to alleviate the suffering of the poor through charity.
—Ben Woollard, JSTOR Daily, 18 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for alleviate
Cite this Entry
“Alleviate.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/alleviate. Accessed 3 Jul. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
alleviate
verb
al·le·vi·ate
ə-ˈlē-vē-ˌāt
alleviated; alleviating
: to make easier to put up with : relieve
Medical Definition
alleviate
transitive verb
al·le·vi·ate
ə-ˈlē-vē-ˌāt
alleviated; alleviating
: to make (as symptoms) less severe or more bearable
a lotion to alleviate itching
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