relieve

verb
UK: /rɪˈliːv/
US: /rɪˈliːv/

  1. To reduce pain or make something less unpleasant.

    1. This cream can relieve the pain.
    2. Taking medicine can relieve your headache and let you focus better.

  2. To free someone from a duty by taking their place.

    1. I'll relieve you at lunch time.
    2. Another nurse will relieve you, so you can take a break for a while.

  3. To make something less boring or repetitive.

    1. A joke can relieve tension.
    2. Short breaks during a long meeting can relieve boredom and improve focus.

Synonyms

alleviate ease reduce lessen mitigate assuage comfort relaxation
relieve noun

  1. A feeling of reassurance and relaxation following release from anxiety or distress.

    1. It was such a relieve!
    2. After the exams, the students all felt a great sense of relieve.

Frequently Asked Questions

The word "relieve" in English means: To reduce pain or make something less unpleasant., To free someone from a duty by taking their place., To make something less boring or repetitive..

The phonetic transcription of "relieve" is /rɪˈliːv/ in British English and /rɪˈliːv/ in American English. Click the 🔊 button to hear both pronunciations.

Synonyms for "relieve": alleviate, ease, reduce, lessen, mitigate, assuage, comfort, relaxation.

Example usage of "relieve": "This cream can relieve the pain.". More examples on the page.