reliever

noun

re·​liev·​er ri-ˈlē-vər How to pronounce reliever (audio)
Synonyms of relievernext
: one that relieves
especially : relief pitcher

Examples of reliever in a Sentence

pain relievers like aspirin and ibuprofen Exercise is a good stress reliever.
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.
Didier Fuentes moved to the bullpen in late April, despite not being a reliever for much of his baseball career. Fisher Isbell, AJC.com, 6 June 2026 Trailing 6-5 in the seventh, Chase Meidroth reached on an infield hit and throwing error by reliever Jonathan Bowlan, and stood on third with two outs. Paul Sullivan, Chicago Tribune, 6 June 2026 Way is the latest Royals reliever to make his MLB debut this season. Jaylon Thompson, Kansas City Star, 6 June 2026 Before the Diamondbacks’ Ketel Marte delivered the walk-off blow to the Dodgers — a towering home run off reliever Tanner Scott, punctuated by a bat flip — Roberts had to choose whether to send Shohei Ohtani to the plate as a pinch-hitter. Maddie Lee, Los Angeles Times, 5 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for reliever

Word History

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of reliever was in the 15th century

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Cite this Entry

“Reliever.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/reliever. Accessed 8 Jun. 2026.

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