relieve

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 Turmeric may have similar effects to analgesics, medicines used to relieve pain. Lana Barhum, Verywell Health, 18 June 2025 That left school district leaders both relieved but unsure how the new system will work. Steven Walker, The Orlando Sentinel, 18 June 2025 The Nimitz is expected to relieve its sister ship, USS Carl Vinson, in the region, allowing the latter to return home, U.S. Naval Institute News reported. Ryan Chan, MSNBC Newsweek, 17 June 2025 Therapies can relieve certain underlying issues triggering sleep paralysis, including cognitive behavioral therapy, especially the version for people with insomnia. Kristen Rogers, CNN Money, 8 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for relieve
Recent Examples of Synonyms for relieve
Verb
  • Managers often fall into this trap by micromanaging to alleviate their own anxiety, but this erodes trust.
    Brittney Van Matre, Forbes.com, 20 June 2025
  • Wirtz could fit brilliantly into that mould, alleviating the need to sign a top striker, a notoriously difficult market.
    David Ornstein, New York Times, 20 June 2025
Verb
  • Before the referee had even dropped the whistle from his mouth, Erling Haaland galloped onto the pitch with a coach clearly tasked with readying him to replace Omar Marmoush at the break.
    Jordan Campbell, New York Times, 27 June 2025
  • Kennedy previously fired the entire 17-member panel of outside vaccine experts and replaced them with his own picks.
    Ahmed Aboulenein, USA Today, 26 June 2025
Verb
  • Bird believes that incoming expansion will help remedy the issue.
    Eric Jackson, Sportico.com, 20 June 2025
  • And some newer conversion kits act something like a treadmill mounted to your bike, using rollers to help propel your wheel forward.
    Michael Venutolo-Mantovani, Wired News, 20 June 2025
Verb
  • Short of the savings being placed in a much bigger coffee can, government spending cuts born of efficiency, headcount reduction, mandate reduction, or all three would have just freed up money for Congress to spend in new ways.
    John Tamny, Forbes.com, 21 June 2025
  • Philip Andrew Douglass, 42, was freed on bond after an initial appearance before U.S. Magistrate Judge David Keesler.
    Joe Marusak, Charlotte Observer, 21 June 2025
Verb
  • The woman first emerged in a second superseding indictment against Combs in March.
    Cheyenne Roundtree, Rolling Stone, 16 June 2025
  • But its recommendations were largely superseded by separate announcements from the Food and Drug Administration leaders and Kennedy, both of whom set new restrictions and requirements for use of COVID-19 vaccines in children and pregnant people.
    Eric Berger, ArsTechnica, 9 June 2025
Verb
  • But for some people prolonged rest can seriously put their spine through the wringer, causing a painful stiffness that only movement can soothe.
    Katie Camero, SELF, 20 June 2025
  • Great as a hostess or housewarming gift, the soap works even better when taking the form of a self-care purchase that will soothe your skin with shea butter.
    Stacia Datskovska, Footwear News, 20 June 2025
Verb
  • Travelers are mitigating these risks by purchasing travel insurance, booking flexible tickets, and researching destinations.
    Christopher Elliott, USA Today, 27 June 2025
  • The company mitigates unforeseen delays by keeping its customers consistently in the loop.
    Victoria Gomelsky, Robb Report, 27 June 2025
Verb
  • In recent weeks, Trump has rolled back some of his steepest levies, easing costs imposed upon companies and alleviating concern about a sharp surge of inflation.
    Max Zahn, ABC News, 27 June 2025
  • Ultimately, mastering this approach not only enhances your sales performance but positions your company among the industry's top-tier, significantly easing future recruitment and fueling sustainable growth.
    Ryan Hohman, Forbes.com, 27 June 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Relieve.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/relieve. Accessed 1 Jul. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on relieve

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