əˈlēvēˌāt also aˈ-; usu -ād.+V transitive verb
( -ed/-ing/-s )
Etymology: Late Latin alleviatus, past participle of alleviare to lighten, relieve, from Latin ad- + levis light — more at light
1. : lighten , lessen : relieve , moderate : as
a. : to make easier to be endured (as physical or mental suffering)
does not cure but alleviates the disease
a lotion for alleviating the itching of poison ivy
little can be done for the sufferer beyond alleviating his agony — V.G.Heiser
helped slightly to alleviate his sorrow
b. : to remove or correct in part (as a troublesome condition or state of mind)
measures for alleviating the critical labor shortage
could alleviate the causes of conflicts among nations — Vera M. Dean
efforts which do nothing to alleviate that hate — New Republic
— opposed to aggravate
how these problems are aggravated or alleviated by advances in technical knowledge — Clyde Kennedy
2. archaic : extenuate
alleviates his fault by an excuse — Samuel Johnson
Synonyms: see relieve