relieve

verb re·lieve \ri-ˈlēv\

: to reduce or remove (something, such as pain or an unpleasant feeling)

: to make (a problem) less serious

: to take the place of (someone who has been working, fighting, etc.)

re·lievedre·liev·ing

Full Definition of RELIEVE

transitive verb

a : to free from a burden : give aid or help to

b : to set free from an obligation, condition, or restriction

c : to ease of a burden, wrong, or oppression by judicial or legislative interposition

a : to bring about the removal or alleviation of : mitigate <helps relieve stress>

b : rob, deprive <relieved us of our belongings>

a : to release from a post, station, or duty

b : to take the place of <will relieve the starting pitcher>

: to remove or lessen the monotony of <a park relieves the urban landscape>

a : to set off by contrast

b : to raise in relief

: to discharge the bladder or bowels of (oneself)

intransitive verb

: to bring or give relief

: to stand out in relief

: to serve as a relief pitcher

— re·liev·able \-ˈlē-və-bəl\ adjective

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Origin of RELIEVE

Middle English releven, from Anglo-French relever to raise, relieve, from Latin relevare, from re- + levare to raise — more at lever

First Known Use: 14th century

Related to RELIEVE

Synonyms: allay, alleviate, assuage, ease, mitigate, mollify, palliate, help, soothe

Antonyms: aggravate, exacerbate

Synonym Discussion of RELIEVE

relieve, alleviate, lighten, assuage, mitigate, allay 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>. alleviate implies temporary or partial lessening of pain or distress <the lotion alleviated the itching>. lighten implies reducing a burdensome or depressing weight <good news would lighten our worries>. assuage implies softening or sweetening what is harsh or disagreeable <ocean breezes assuaged the intense heat>. mitigate suggests a moderating or countering of the effect of something violent or painful <the need to mitigate barbaric laws>. allay implies an effective calming or soothing of fears or alarms <allayed their fears>.