Definition of relieve
relieved
;relieving
transitive verb
1a : to free from a burden : give aid or help tob : to set free from an obligation, condition, or restrictionc : to ease of a burden, wrong, or oppression by judicial or legislative interposition
2a : to bring about the removal or alleviation of : mitigate helps relieve stressb : rob, deprive relieved us of our belongings
3a : to release from a post, station, or dutyb : to take the place of will relieve the starting pitcher
4 : to remove or lessen the monotony of a park relieves the urban landscape
5a : to set off by contrastb : 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
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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 of relieve from the Web
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Fred Kummerow sounded equal parts relieved and content on that Tuesday afternoon in June 2015.
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U.S. officials also leaked an Oval Office conversation between Trump and top Russian diplomats the day after Comey’s firing in which Trump reportedly said the dismissal would relieve pressure on him from the Russia investigation.
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SDG&E proposes using the new pipeline to relieve pressure on a 30-inch pipeline that runs in a north-south direction near Interstate 5 and replace a 16-inch pipeline that runs along the Interstate 15 corridor and has been in existence since 1949.
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Many of them have symptoms that can be relieved by cannabis that is specifically formulated for medical use.
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No prescription drug exists to relieve the pain of being a human being trapped in a marble monument that the public continues to flock to and worship, and one that major corporations continue to burnish.
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Rycerz had plenty of time to study Torres, who came in to relieve Austin Peterson.
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Family members of one of the climbers said they were relieved that the body was recovered, providing closure.
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Family members of one of the climbers said they were relieved that the body was recovered, providing closure.
These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'relieve'. Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Origin and Etymology of relieve
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
Synonym Discussion of relieve
RELIEVE Defined for English Language Learners
relieve
playDefinition of relieve for English Language Learners
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: to reduce or remove (something, such as pain or an unpleasant feeling)
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: to make (a problem) less serious
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: to take the place of (someone who has been working, fighting, etc.)
RELIEVE Defined for Kids
relieve
playDefinition of relieve for Students
relieved
;relieving
1 : to free partly or wholly from a burden, pain, or distress The phone call relieved the worried parents.
2 : to bring about the removal or lessening of No words could relieve her sorrow.
3 : to release from a post or duty relieve a sentry
4 : to break the sameness of The dark red house was relieved by white trim.
reliever
nounMedical Dictionary
relieve
playMedical Definition of relieve
relieved
;relieving
1: to bring about the removal or alleviation of (pain or discomfort)
2: to discharge the bladder or bowels of (oneself)
reliever
nounLaw Dictionary
relieve
Legal Definition of relieve
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 imposes — Hosey v. Burgess, 890 S.W.2d 262 (1995)
Learn More about relieve
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See words that rhyme with relieve Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for relieve Spanish Central: Translation of relieve Nglish: Translation of relieve for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of relieve for Arabic speakers
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