relieve

verb

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re·lieve | \ ri-ˈlēv

relieved; relieving

Definition of relieve

transitive verb

1a : 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

2a : to bring about the removal or alleviation of : mitigate helps relieve stress

b : rob, deprive relieved us of our belongings

3a : 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

5a : 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

Other Words from relieve Synonyms & Antonyms Choose the Right Synonym More Example Sentences Learn More About relieve

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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 Women often fill silence in order to relieve awkward tension and to avert interruption. — Quora, Forbes, 4 June 2021 Mindfulness has been shown to relieve anxiety and boost mood, welcome news amid a pandemic that has triggered a global mental health crisis. — Jen Rose Smith, CNN, 3 June 2021 The goal is to give them comfort, peace and dignity during their final days; to relieve pain and manage symptoms. — Kevin Krause, Dallas News, 28 May 2021 This cushion can help relieve stress on your joints and properly support your spine, while also serving as a yoga block to support your yoga poses. — Tim Kohut, BGR, 12 May 2021 However, a spokesperson for the Bureau of Western Hemisphere said the U.S. welcomes efforts to relieve the suffering of the Venezuelan people and bring the country’s humanitarian crisis to an end through effective international cooperation. — Joshua Goodman, The Christian Science Monitor, 27 Apr. 2021 To relieve that pain and expand her social circle, Davis, now 46, founded Prince Army Los Angeles (PALA), a Facebook group connecting local Prince fans. — Louisa Frahm, Los Angeles Times, 21 Apr. 2021 The process is designed to relieve overcrowding in some schools and increase enrollment in others that are below capacity, according to the balancing enrollment web page. — David Anderson, baltimoresun.com, 12 Apr. 2021 Officials are rolling out a response plan that includes controlled discharges of mixed seawater into Port Manatee to relieve pressure and maintain the integrity of the stack system, according to the Florida DEP. — Marlene Lenthang, ABC News, 3 Apr. 2021

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.

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Last Updated

8 Jun 2021

Cite this Entry

“Relieve.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/relieve. Accessed 17 Jun. 2021.

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More Definitions for relieve

relieve

verb

English Language Learners Definition of relieve

: to reduce or remove (something, such as pain or an unpleasant feeling)

: to make (a problem) less serious

: to take the place of (someone who has been working, fighting, etc.)

See the full definition for relieve in the English Language Learners Dictionary

relieve

verb

re·lieve | \ ri-ˈlēv

relieved; relieving

Kids Definition of relieve

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.

relieve

transitive verb

re·lieve | \ ri-ˈlēv

relieved; relieving

Medical Definition of relieve

1 : to bring about the removal or alleviation of (pain or discomfort)

2 : to discharge the bladder or bowels of (oneself)

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relieve

transitive verb

re·lieve

relieved; relieving

Legal Definition of relieve

: 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)