as in easing
Related Words
Relevance
Dissimilar Words
1
as in alleviating
to make more bearable or less severe
an ice pack will relieve the swelling
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in ridding
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
3
as in replacing
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
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 relieving
Kathleen Perricone, Entertainment Weekly, 5 June 2026
Cormann warned that government spending aimed at relieving energy costs needed to be aimed at those most in need and temporary, to avoid running up excess government debt and preserving incentives to save energy.
—David McHugh, Los Angeles Times, 3 June 2026
That crack, Covey and others later said, might be a sign of imminent explosion, or a sign that the tank is relieving pressure from within.
—Andre Mouchard, Oc Register, 2 June 2026
But the language in his contract with Vegas states the Golden Knights must grant him permission to interview elsewhere even after relieving him of his coaching duties in late March.
—Michael Russo, New York Times, 2 June 2026
Heated wraps and massagers are ideal for relieving these issues.
—Bestreviews, Mercury News, 1 June 2026
For a pain-relieving exercise, lie on your back and put a belt around your knees.
—Stephanie Brown, Verywell Health, 29 May 2026
Stress-relieving travel can also slow the shortening of telomeres, one of the indicators of biological age.
—Alessandra Signorelli, Vogue, 29 May 2026
Lavender may be known for its stress-relieving fragrance, but its delicate lavender, purple, blue, or white blooms and narrow silvery foliage also add a nice touch to your flower garden.
—Karen Brewer Grossman, Southern Living, 28 May 2026
Verb
The craniectomy, which removed 40 percent of her skull, saved Erbert's life by relieving pressure caused by the hematoma, a collection of blood that had formed from a burst blood vessel.
—Kathleen Perricone, Entertainment Weekly, 5 June 2026
Cormann warned that government spending aimed at relieving energy costs needed to be aimed at those most in need and temporary, to avoid running up excess government debt and preserving incentives to save energy.
—David McHugh, Los Angeles Times, 3 June 2026
That crack, Covey and others later said, might be a sign of imminent explosion, or a sign that the tank is relieving pressure from within.
—Andre Mouchard, Oc Register, 2 June 2026
But the language in his contract with Vegas states the Golden Knights must grant him permission to interview elsewhere even after relieving him of his coaching duties in late March.
—Michael Russo, New York Times, 2 June 2026
Heated wraps and massagers are ideal for relieving these issues.
—Bestreviews, Mercury News, 1 June 2026
For a pain-relieving exercise, lie on your back and put a belt around your knees.
—Stephanie Brown, Verywell Health, 29 May 2026
Stress-relieving travel can also slow the shortening of telomeres, one of the indicators of biological age.
—Alessandra Signorelli, Vogue, 29 May 2026
Lavender may be known for its stress-relieving fragrance, but its delicate lavender, purple, blue, or white blooms and narrow silvery foliage also add a nice touch to your flower garden.
—Karen Brewer Grossman, Southern Living, 28 May 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for relieving
Verb
-
Training also matters, as systems that generate excessive low-value alerts contribute to fatigue rather than alleviating it.—
Ethan Stone
June 3,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
3 June 2026
-
The Center on Colfax recommends alleviating traffic by taking public transit, Veo scooters, or rideshare.—
Brian Sherrod,
CBS News,
1 June 2026
Verb
-
Ways to Get Rid of Weeds Between Pavers The best method for ridding your patio or stone path of weeds depends largely on the severity of the weed problem.—
Andy Wilcox,
Better Homes & Gardens,
25 Apr. 2026
-
During Blue Bloods' 14 seasons from 2010 until 2024, Wahlberg got some experience ridding himself of his Boston accent to play a Brooklynite.—
Brenton Blanchet,
PEOPLE,
22 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Otherwise, tenants would be allowed to withhold up to 50% of their rent or $500, whichever is greater, and put the money toward replacing the broken appliance or fixing whatever needs to be remedied.—
Frederick Melo,
Twin Cities,
3 June 2026
-
The renovations included painting columns, refurbishing marble, replacing chairs and renovating stages, according to previous USA TODAY reporting.—
Michelle Del Rey,
USA Today,
3 June 2026
Verb
-
One theory is that a surprisingly large amount of crude is escaping the double blockade of the Strait of Hormuz, helping the global energy system absorb the historic shock.—
Matt Egan,
CNN Money,
9 June 2026
-
Ortega has worked to elevate Zara’s brand beyond fast fashion, through a series of creative collaborations and a stronger focus on design, helping the group distinguish itself from a growing wave of fast-fashion competitors.—
Sam Birchall,
Fortune,
8 June 2026
Verb
-
The generation that rode cheap college, rising home prices, and the 401(k) revolution into late career was expected to bow out gracefully, freeing up houses and jobs for their kids and grandkids.—
Nick Lichtenberg,
Fortune,
7 June 2026
-
Letting go of control to obtain a vision or fantasy and falling down the rabbit hole is freeing and dreamy — but only for the right person.—
Lisa Stardust,
PEOPLE,
6 June 2026
Verb
-
The Southern Poverty Law Center asked a federal judge on Wednesday to consider sanctioning federal prosecutors, after the Justice Department shared an unsigned and unstamped copy of a superseding indictment against the nonprofit with members of the media.—
Sarah N. Lynch,
CBS News,
4 June 2026
-
Not all of the bets were successful because Rozier collected four rebounds, which was more than the betting line, the superseding indictment said.—
Rebecca Boone,
Fortune,
29 May 2026
Verb
-
Get kitted out for a day on the slopes in the in-house ski room before returning to the indoor pool and soothing hands of therapists at Spa L'Apogée by La Prairie.—
Matt Ortile,
Condé Nast Traveler,
3 June 2026
-
Within an hour, skyscrapers flatten to golden sand, and the honk of yellow taxis is replaced by the soothing sounds of rolling waves.—
Zoey Goto,
Travel + Leisure,
2 June 2026
Verb
-
Beyond oil Tom Wrobel, director, capital consulting, prime services and clearing at Societe Generale, said oil gains are just one part of a much broader macro bonanza powering CTAs' returns in 2026.—
Hugh Leask,
CNBC,
5 June 2026
-
Tidying the bathroom and kitchen, including clearing dishes and refreshing surfaces, ensures a fresh, stress-free start.—
Elizabeth Fogarty,
Better Homes & Gardens,
5 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Relieving.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/relieving. Accessed 9 Jun. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
