Synonyms for relieve
Definitions
- v. 1
To ease (a person, person's thoughts etc.) from mental distress; to stop (someone) feeling anxious or worried, to alleviate the distress of.
I was greatly relieved by the jury's verdict.
- v. 2
To ease (someone, a part of the body etc.) or give relief from physical pain or discomfort.
- v. 3
To alleviate (pain, distress, mental discomfort etc.).
- v. 4
To provide comfort or assistance to (someone in need, especially in poverty).
Forms
- Past participle
- relieved
e.g. relieved → alleviated, assuaged, allayed, helpt…
Choose the right word
Etymologically, to alleviate is to lift a burden toward oneself, and so lighten it for the bearer; to relieve is to lift it back from the bearer, nearly or quite away; to remove is to take it away altogether. Alleviate is thus less than relieve; relieve, ordinarily, less than remove.
J. C. Fernald, English Synonyms and Antonyms (1914)
Example sentences
- ease I was surprised because he lifted me up with ease.
- alleviate How can Algeria alleviate the impact of inflation?
- allay She tried to allay their fears but only ended up heightening them.
- assuage This medicine will assuage the pain.
- rid If it means that much to you, I'll get rid of Tom.
- remedy Don't worry. We can remedy the mistake we've made.
By length
- 3 letters
- aid1, rid1
- 4 letters
- help1, free1, rest1, save1, ease1
- 5 letters
- still1, quiet2, spell1, salve1, allay2
- 6 letters
- excuse2, assist2, exempt2, remedy3, lessen2, soften2, solace2, soothe1, unload2, pacify3, succor2
- 7 letters
- support2, release2, comfort2, console2, salvage2, refresh2, lighten2, appease2, assuage2, succour, mollify3
- 8 letters
- mitigate3, diminish3, palliate
- 9 letters
- highlight2, discharge2, alleviate4, disburden
The small number after each word is its number of syllables (quiet2 = 2 syllables).