Meaning of the word relieve in English

What does relieve mean in English? Explore the meaning, pronunciation, and specific usage of this word with Lingoland.

relieve

US /rɪˈliːv/

UK /rɪˈliːv/

cause pain, distress, or difficulty to become less severe or serious

Example:

•

The medication helped to relieve her headache.

•

It was a great relief to relieve the tension in the room.

Synonym:

alleviate ease lessen mitigate assuage

release from a duty by taking their place

Example:

•

The new guard will relieve the old one at midnight.

•

He was relieved of his duties after the incident.

Synonym:

replace take over from discharge release

make a problem less serious or difficult

Example:

•

New policies were introduced to relieve the burden on small businesses.

•

The aid package aims to relieve poverty in the region.

Synonym:

ease lighten reduce diminish