RELIEVE Synonyms: 89 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How is the word 'relieve' different from other verbs like it?

Some common synonyms of relieve are allay , alleviate , assuage , lighten , and mitigate . While all these words 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

Q: When is it sensible to use 'allay' instead of 'relieve'?

The words allay and relieve can be used in similar contexts, but allay implies an effective calming or soothing of fears or alarms. // allayed their fears

Q: When would 'alleviate' be a good substitute for 'relieve'?

Although the words alleviate and relieve have much in common, alleviate implies temporary or partial lessening of pain or distress. // the lotion alleviated the itching

Q: When could 'assuage' be used to replace 'relieve'?

The synonyms assuage and relieve are sometimes interchangeable, but assuage implies softening or sweetening what is harsh or disagreeable. // ocean breezes assuaged the intense heat

Q: When might 'lighten' be a better fit than 'relieve'?

The words lighten and relieve are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, lighten implies reducing a burdensome or depressing weight. // good news would lighten our worries

Q: When is 'mitigate' a more appropriate choice than 'relieve'?

While in some cases nearly identical to relieve , mitigate suggests a moderating or countering of the effect of something violent or painful. // the need to mitigate barbaric laws

relieve

verb

ri-ˈlēv

Definition of relieve next

as in to alleviate

to make more bearable or less severe an ice pack will relieve the swelling

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in to rid

to set (a person or thing) free of something that encumbers the bellhop relieved him of his luggage and led him to the elevator

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in to replace

to take the place of at daybreak a soldier arrived to relieve the one who had spent the night on guard duty

Synonyms & Similar Words

Synonym Chooser

How is the word relieve different from other verbs like it?

Some common synonyms of relieve are allay, alleviate, assuage, lighten, and mitigate. While all these words 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

When is it sensible to use allay instead of relieve?

The words allay and relieve can be used in similar contexts, but allay implies an effective calming or soothing of fears or alarms.

allayed their fears

When would alleviate be a good substitute for relieve?

Although the words alleviate and relieve have much in common, alleviate implies temporary or partial lessening of pain or distress.

the lotion alleviated the itching

When could assuage be used to replace relieve?

The synonyms assuage and relieve are sometimes interchangeable, but assuage implies softening or sweetening what is harsh or disagreeable.

ocean breezes assuaged the intense heat

When might lighten be a better fit than relieve?

The words lighten and relieve are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, lighten implies reducing a burdensome or depressing weight.

good news would lighten our worries

When is mitigate a more appropriate choice than relieve?

While in some cases nearly identical to relieve, mitigate suggests a moderating or countering of the effect of something violent or painful.

the need to mitigate barbaric laws

Example Sentences

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.

Recent Examples of relieve On Wednesday, QatarEnergy declared force majeure, a legal term relieving the company from contractual obligations. —

Julia Simon, NPR, 6 Mar. 2026 The routine is even a bit stress-relieving. —

Brittany Huston, The Spruce, 5 Mar. 2026 Even with a long drive, Johnson was relieved to get it and gave Jack his first dose that night. —

Brenda Goodman, CNN Money, 5 Mar. 2026 He’s visibly relieved when Barbara accepts the critique and apologizes for the insensitive remark. —

Katie Campione, Deadline, 4 Mar. 2026 See All Example Sentences for relieve

Recent Examples of Synonyms for relieve

Verb

Many Angelenos believe the city’s leaders have squandered billions in funds meant to alleviate the homelessness crisis and allowed unhoused people to take over public space.

— Matthew Ormseth, Los Angeles Times, 11 Mar. 2026
Michael said training, guidance and policies could help alleviate the potential risks associated with introducing AI into the workforce, such as when agents magnify or mask errors.

— Bloomberg, Mercury News, 10 Mar. 2026