relieve

[rɪˈliːv]

relieve Definition

• 1. cause (pain, distress, or difficulty) to become less severe or serious
• 2. cause (someone) to stop feeling distressed or anxious
• 3. take over from (someone) in a job or duty

Using relieve: Examples

Take a moment to familiarize yourself with how "relieve" can be used in various situations through the following examples!

• Example

  The medicine should relieve the pain.

• Example

  Talking to a friend can relieve stress and anxiety.

• Example

  I'll come in early tomorrow to relieve you.

relieve Synonyms and Antonyms

Synonyms for relieve

• alleviate
• ease
• soothe
• mitigate
• lessen

Antonyms for relieve

• aggravate
• worsen

Idioms Using relieve

• a sigh of relief

  an expression of relief that something difficult or unpleasant has passed

  Example

  After the exam, she breathed a sigh of relief.

• give relief to

  provide assistance or support to someone in need

  Example

  The charity aims to give relief to those affected by the disaster.

• bring relief

  provide a welcome change from something unpleasant

  Example

  The rain brought relief from the heat.

Phrases with relieve

• relieve oneself

  urinate or defecate

  Example

  Excuse me, I need to relieve myself.

• relieve the boredom

  make something less tedious or monotonous

  Example

  Playing games can relieve the boredom of a long journey.

• relieve the tension

  reduce or remove feelings of nervousness or unease

  Example

  A good joke can relieve the tension in a room.

Origins of relieve

from Old French 'relever', from Latin 'relevare', meaning 'to lift up again'

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Summary: relieve in Brief

To 'relieve' [rɪˈliːv] is to reduce or remove pain, distress, or difficulty, such as with medicine or talking to a friend. It can also mean to take over a job or duty, as in 'I'll come in early tomorrow to relieve you.' The phrase 'relieve oneself' refers to urinating or defecating, while 'a sigh of relief' expresses relief that something difficult has passed.