1
as in to facilitate
to free from obstruction or difficulty
measures intended to ease the flow of traffic during rush hour
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2
as in to loosen
to make less taut
the rock climber eased the rope a little so that his fellow climber had room to maneuver
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3
as in to alleviate
to make more bearable or less severe
grandmother's firm belief that there are few ailments that chicken soup won't ease
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4
as in to reduce
to make smaller in amount, volume, or extent
the chairman of the Federal Reserve has promised to ease interest rates
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5
as in to decrease
to grow less in scope or intensity especially gradually
new investments in the region have eased since the rise in interest rates
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1
as in relief
reduction of or freedom from pain
the sunburn medication brought me instant ease
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2
as in abandon
carefree freedom from constraint
a gymnast who can handle even the most demanding moves on the parallel bars with total ease
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3
as in rest
freedom from activity or labor
the dream of every lottery player is a life of fabulous luxury and everlasting ease
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of ease
John Ruwitch, NPR, 19 Sep. 2025
The Newsom administration’s recent moves to ease the bureaucratic red tape and permitting challenges that have forced us to import two-thirds of all our crude quietly admits as much.
—Michael Mische, San Diego Union-Tribune, 19 Sep. 2025
Francesca Street, CNN Money, 17 Sep. 2025
There was an ease, polish and sophistication to the collection that feels right for these times.
—Lisa Lockwood, Footwear News, 17 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for ease
Verb
At a meeting in Geneva in May, the two sides announced a 90-day truce, lowered tariff rates and eased other trade barriers including deliveries of Chinese rare earth minerals.
—John Ruwitch, NPR, 19 Sep. 2025
The Newsom administration’s recent moves to ease the bureaucratic red tape and permitting challenges that have forced us to import two-thirds of all our crude quietly admits as much.
—Michael Mische, San Diego Union-Tribune, 19 Sep. 2025
Noun
Other metrics include ease of travel through the airport, level of trust with the airport, terminal facilities, airport staff, retail outlets and departure and arrival experiences.
—Francesca Street, CNN Money, 17 Sep. 2025
There was an ease, polish and sophistication to the collection that feels right for these times.
—Lisa Lockwood, Footwear News, 17 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for ease
Recent Examples of Synonyms for ease
Verb
-
The Fed's current governance has facilitated groupthink that has led to significant monetary-policy errors.—
Adeola Adeosun
Robert Birsel,
MSNBC Newsweek,
16 Sep. 2025
-
Some brokers are facilitating this fraud by signing people up for coverage without their knowledge—and collecting a commission for their effort.—
Sally Pipes,
Forbes.com,
15 Sep. 2025
Verb
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After being stuck on a boss, eternally forced to run back and replay swaths of danger for just another slim shot at winning, overcoming most challenges feels less like triumph and more like someone’s mercifully loosened the belt around your neck.—
Christopher Cruz,
Rolling Stone,
19 Sep. 2025
-
Rinse the seeds in cold water to help loosen the strands.—
Johna Burdeos,
Health,
19 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
That program has not alleviated concerns over postproduction deductions and, as of August, had not resolved any cases about that issue, the news organizations found.—
Jacob Orledge,
ProPublica,
15 Sep. 2025
-
There are privacy enhancing technologies that would alleviate this concern.—
Vipin Bharathan,
Forbes.com,
13 Sep. 2025
Verb
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The researchers believe that the benefit likely comes from aspirin acting in several ways – by reducing inflammation and inhibiting platelet function and tumor growth.—
New Atlas,
New Atlas,
18 Sep. 2025
-
In 2016, court filings indicate Gamez Lira was charged with possession of marijuana but ultimately pleaded guilty to disorderly conduct after the charges were reduced.—
Armando Garcia,
ABC News,
18 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Spaying a female pet prevents uterine infections and greatly decreases the risk of breast tumors.—
Maria Morava,
MSNBC Newsweek,
19 Sep. 2025
-
Even with aggressive climate action that drastically decreases fossil fuel burning, the primary driver of global warming, smoke levels are likely to increase substantially, doubling by the middle of the century.—
Alejandra Borunda,
NPR,
19 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
Mario Tama/Getty Images There is not much relief to be found in the rental market.—
Giulia Carbonaro,
MSNBC Newsweek,
18 Sep. 2025
-
The funds raised will support rescue, relief and recovery services and flood assistance to various communities damaged by the July 4 flood(s), according to the Community Foundation of the Texas Hill Country.—
Alexandra Harrell,
Sourcing Journal,
18 Sep. 2025
Noun
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Singer Brendan Yates’ intensity — at one point leaping with abandon, at another frenetically thrusting — is what makes Turnstile cook.—
Daniel Kohn,
Rolling Stone,
16 Sep. 2025
-
Learn when disengagement protects rather than abandons.—
Mark Murphy,
Forbes.com,
11 Sep. 2025
Noun
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The team’s breakthrough rests on a new solid electrolyte.—
Aamir Khollam,
Interesting Engineering,
18 Sep. 2025
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Newsweek Contributors Debate Have a great rest of your week!—
Josh Hammer,
MSNBC Newsweek,
17 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Ease.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/ease. Accessed 23 Sep. 2025.
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