relieve of
phrasal verb
relieved of; relieving of; relieves of
1
formal
: to take (something that is difficult or unpleasant) from (someone)
She signed a contract that relieved him of all responsibility regarding the business.
The law relieves you of any liability.
2
informal + humorous
: to steal (something) from (someone)
Someone relieved him of his wallet.
3
: to remove (someone who has done something wrong) from (a post, duty, job, etc.)
The general was relieved of his command.
Examples of relieve of in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Already, Border Patrol commander at large Gregory Bovino seems to have been relieved of his post leading a nationwide caravan of cruelty and sent back to his home base of El Centro.
—
Gustavo Arellano, Los Angeles Times, 29 Jan. 2026
Three defensive assistant coaches for the Dallas Cowboys — pass game coordinator Andre Curtis, cornerbacks coach David Overstreet II and linebackers coach Dave Borgonzi — have been relieved of their duties, a team source confirmed to the Star-Telegram.
—Nick Harris, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 27 Jan. 2026
All Guardsmen from the 142nd Field Artillery Brigade and 189th Airlift Wing have been relieved of state active duty.
—Anne Li, Arkansas Online, 27 Jan. 2026
In June 2023, under President Joe Biden’s administration, he was relieved of his position for two months.
—Mathew Miranda
updated January 27, Sacbee.com, 27 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for relieve of
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.
Gustavo Arellano, Los Angeles Times, 29 Jan. 2026
Three defensive assistant coaches for the Dallas Cowboys — pass game coordinator Andre Curtis, cornerbacks coach David Overstreet II and linebackers coach Dave Borgonzi — have been relieved of their duties, a team source confirmed to the Star-Telegram.
—Nick Harris, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 27 Jan. 2026
All Guardsmen from the 142nd Field Artillery Brigade and 189th Airlift Wing have been relieved of state active duty.
—Anne Li, Arkansas Online, 27 Jan. 2026
In June 2023, under President Joe Biden’s administration, he was relieved of his position for two months.
—Mathew Miranda
updated January 27, Sacbee.com, 27 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for relieve of
Cite this Entry
“Relieve of.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/relieve%20of. Accessed 4 Feb. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
