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
From the M-W Editors
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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A few supremely well-staged set-pieces relieve the torpor, none more so than an exactingly composed introductory sequence that plunges the viewer into the rituals of an official banquet held in Zweig's honor by the Brazilian Foreign Ministry.
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Almost invariably, the authors argue, populists promise to relieve the stresses caused by institutional constraints.
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More wagon trains topped off their food stocks here; tribes came from next door, their women relieved of at least one numbing labor — grinding corn.
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This 12-week study of 126 adults found that magnesium supplementation relieved some symptoms of mild to moderate depression.
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Naviaux’s research led him to conclude that suramin could relieve stress on neurons that delayed development.
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WESTON My character has this implantation of electrodes to relieve her of chronic, debilitating pain.
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AP FRANKFORT, Ky. — Saying its time has come, state Sen. Morgan McGarvey on Wednesday called on the legislature to consider legalizing medical marijuana to relieve pain and suffering of terminally ill people.
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AP FRANKFORT, Ky. — Saying its time has come, state Sen. Morgan McGarvey on Wednesday called on the legislature to consider legalizing medical marijuana to relieve pain and suffering of terminally ill people.
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
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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