relieve

verb

re·​lieve ri-ˈlēv How to pronounce relieve (audio)
relieved; relieving

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
relievable adjective
Choose the Right Synonym for relieve

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

Examples of relieve in a Sentence

I took a pill to relieve my headache. I wish I could relieve your suffering. What's the best way to relieve stress? She tried to relieve the tension by making a joke. an effort to relieve traffic congestion We need to find ways to relieve overcrowding in our schools. I've come to relieve the guard on duty. The soldiers were relieved by 30,000 fresh troops.
Recent Examples on the Web
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.
Proponents of the bill argued those with a terminal diagnosis must be given a choice at the end of their lives to relieve their suffering. Arkansas Online, 21 June 2025 At the same time, physical therapy can be immensely helpful for both relieving pain—for instance, via massage techniques—and addressing the muscle tightness or imbalance in the legs that may have contributed to the issue in the first place. Erica Sloan, SELF, 20 June 2025 President Donald Trump has indicated states should carry more of the burden, relieving the backlogged Federal Emergency Management Agency. Melanie Stetson Freeman, Christian Science Monitor, 20 June 2025 Oil prices fell on Friday, in a likely sign that traders were relieved that Trump decided to delay conflict with Iran for two weeks. Ben Weiss, Fortune, 20 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for relieve

Word History

Etymology

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

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of relieve was in the 14th century

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Relieve.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/relieve. Accessed 30 Jun. 2025.

Kids Definition

relieve

verb
re·​lieve ri-ˈlēv How to pronounce relieve (audio)
relieved; relieving
1
: to free partly or wholly from a burden or from distress
relieve parents of worry
2
: to bring about the removal or reduction of
efforts to relieve world hunger
3
: to release from a post or duty
relieve a sentry
4
: to break the sameness of
a black dress relieved by a white collar
5
: to put or stand out in relief : set off by contrast (as in sculpture or painting)
6
: to discharge the bladder or bowels of (oneself)
reliever noun

Medical Definition

relieve

transitive verb
re·​lieve ri-ˈlēv How to pronounce relieve (audio)
relieved; relieving
1
: to bring about the removal or alleviation of (pain or discomfort)
2
: to discharge the bladder or bowels of (oneself)
reliever noun

Legal Definition

relieve

transitive verb
re·​lieve
relieved; relieving
: to set free from a duty, burden, or liability
cannot be relieved of his negligence
the trust cannot relieve the trustees of those very basic duties that the law imposesHosey v. Burgess, 890 S.W.2d 262 (1995)

More from Merriam-Webster on relieve

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