RELIEVE Synonyms: 89 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How is the word 'relieve' different from other verbs like it?

Some common synonyms of relieve are allay , alleviate , assuage , lighten , and mitigate . While all these words mean "to make something less grievous," relieve implies a lifting of enough of a burden to make it tolerable. // took an aspirin to relieve the pain

Q: When is it sensible to use 'allay' instead of 'relieve'?

The words allay and relieve can be used in similar contexts, but allay implies an effective calming or soothing of fears or alarms. // allayed their fears

Q: When would 'alleviate' be a good substitute for 'relieve'?

Although the words alleviate and relieve have much in common, alleviate implies temporary or partial lessening of pain or distress. // the lotion alleviated the itching

Q: When could 'assuage' be used to replace 'relieve'?

The synonyms assuage and relieve are sometimes interchangeable, but assuage implies softening or sweetening what is harsh or disagreeable. // ocean breezes assuaged the intense heat

Q: When might 'lighten' be a better fit than 'relieve'?

The words lighten and relieve are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, lighten implies reducing a burdensome or depressing weight. // good news would lighten our worries

Q: When is 'mitigate' a more appropriate choice than 'relieve'?

While in some cases nearly identical to relieve , mitigate suggests a moderating or countering of the effect of something violent or painful. // the need to mitigate barbaric laws

relieve

verb

ri-ˈlēv

Definition of relieve next

as in to alleviate

to make more bearable or less severe an ice pack will relieve the swelling

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in to rid

to set (a person or thing) free of something that encumbers the bellhop relieved him of his luggage and led him to the elevator

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in to replace

to take the place of at daybreak a soldier arrived to relieve the one who had spent the night on guard duty

Synonyms & Similar Words

Synonym Chooser

How is the word relieve different from other verbs like it?

Some common synonyms of relieve are allay, alleviate, assuage, lighten, and mitigate. While all these words mean "to make something less grievous," relieve implies a lifting of enough of a burden to make it tolerable.

took an aspirin to relieve the pain

When is it sensible to use allay instead of relieve?

The words allay and relieve can be used in similar contexts, but allay implies an effective calming or soothing of fears or alarms.

allayed their fears

When would alleviate be a good substitute for relieve?

Although the words alleviate and relieve have much in common, alleviate implies temporary or partial lessening of pain or distress.

the lotion alleviated the itching

When could assuage be used to replace relieve?

The synonyms assuage and relieve are sometimes interchangeable, but assuage implies softening or sweetening what is harsh or disagreeable.

ocean breezes assuaged the intense heat

When might lighten be a better fit than relieve?

The words lighten and relieve are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, lighten implies reducing a burdensome or depressing weight.

good news would lighten our worries

When is mitigate a more appropriate choice than relieve?

While in some cases nearly identical to relieve, mitigate suggests a moderating or countering of the effect of something violent or painful.

the need to mitigate barbaric laws

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Recent Examples of relieve Weighted blankets have been reported to lessen anxiety, relieve pain, and improve overall mood. —

Audrey Lee, Architectural Digest, 6 Feb. 2026 Not all chronic wrist pain can be effectively relieved with a hand massage, especially if the pain is caused by a condition other than carpal tunnel syndrome. —

Bestreviews, Mercury News, 5 Feb. 2026 Hot water may relieve symptoms of a cold, such as a sore throat and congestion. —

Jillian Kubala, Health, 5 Feb. 2026 The shift to Canaveral for SpaceX will also likely see a Crew-13 mission in October to relieve Crew-12, but that has yet to be announced. —

Richard Tribou, The Orlando Sentinel, 5 Feb. 2026 See All Example Sentences for relieve

Recent Examples of Synonyms for relieve

Verb

Duren shoved Diabate’s face, and despite people on both sides trying to alleviate the tension, the usually mild-mannered Diabate kept trying to find Duren again.

— Scott Thompson, FOXNews.com, 10 Feb. 2026
Oil prices dipped on Tuesday on signs that talks between the US and Iran are alleviating the risk of supply disruptions through the Strait of Hormuz, even as the US continues to ramp up pressure on Russia’s oil exports.

— Tim McDonnell, semafor.com, 10 Feb. 2026

Definition of alleviate

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“Relieve.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/relieve. Accessed 15 Feb. 2026.

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Last Updated: 14 Feb 2026 - Updated example sentences

Synonyms of relieve

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