What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
relieve
Example
The medication helped relieve my headache. [relieve: verb]
Example
The volunteers worked to relieve the suffering of the earthquake victims. [relieve: verb]
Example
The new hire will relieve me of some of my responsibilities. [relieve: verb]
lessen
Example
The rain helped lessen the severity of the drought. [lessen: verb]
Example
The teacher tried to lessen the student's anxiety before the exam. [lessen: verb]
Example
The company's profits have lessened due to the pandemic. [lessened: past participle]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Lessen is more commonly used than relieve in everyday language. Lessen is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while relieve is more specific and often used in medical or emotional contexts.
Whatโs the difference in the tone of formality between relieve and lessen?
Both relieve and lessen can be used in formal and informal contexts, but relieve may be more commonly used in medical or professional settings.
