v.
Pronunciation: ri- ' l ē v
Function: verb
Inflected Form: re · lieved ; re · liev · ing
Etymology: Middle English releven, from Anglo-French relever to raise, relieve, from Latin relevare, from re- + levare to raise ― more at LEVER
Date: 14th century
transitive verb
1 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
2 a : to bring about the removal or alleviation of : MITIGATE <helps relieve stress> b : ROB , DEPRIVE < relieved us of our belongings>
3 a : to release from a post, station, or duty b : to take the place of <will relieve the starting pitcher>
4 : to remove or lessen the monotony of <a park relieve s the urban landscape>
5 a : to set off by contrast b : to raise in relief
6 : to discharge the bladder or bowels of (oneself)
intransitive verb
1 : to bring or give relief
2 : to stand out in relief
3 : to serve as a relief pitcher
– re · liev · able \ - ' l ē -v ə -b ə l \ adjective
synonyms 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>.