Relieve

Definition

Relieve primarily refers to the act of easing or alleviating a burden, pain, or distress.

Parts of Speech

• Verb

Pronunciation

American English

• IPA Pronunciation: /rɪˈliːv/
• Respelling: ri-LEEV (with "ri" as in "rid," and "LEEV" as in "leave")

British English

• IPA Pronunciation: /rɪˈliːv/
• Respelling: ri-LEEV (similar to American English, with "ri" as in "rid," and "LEEV" as in "leave")

In both dialects, "relieve" is pronounced with the stress on the second syllable, "LEEV." The pronunciation is consistent across both American and British English, emphasizing the long "ee" sound in "LEEV."

Etymology

The word "relieve" originates from the Old French word "relever", which means "to raise, alleviate, lift up", and from Latin "relevare", where "re-" denotes "again" and "levare" means "to raise".

Derivatives

• Reliever
• Relief
• Relievable
• Relievedly
• Unrelieved

Synonyms

• Alleviate
• Ease
• Mitigate

Antonyms

• Aggravate
• Exacerbate
• Intensify

Usage

The term "relieve" is commonly used in various contexts to describe the act of reducing discomfort, pain, or stress, whether it is in a physical, emotional, or situational sense.

Related Terms

• Comfort
• Soothe
• Palliate
• Unburden
• Assuage

Detailed Definition

Verb

• To free from pain, anxiety, or distress; to alleviate or lessen.
• Example: Doctors prescribed medicine to relieve the patient's symptoms.

• To liberate from a burden or pressure; to unburden.
• Example: The manager brought in temporary staff to relieve the team during the busy season.

• To provide physical ease or relaxation, especially from a position or posture.
• Example: The soldiers were relieved from their posts after a long shift.

• To release from a post, station, or duty; to replace.
• Example: The night shift will relieve the day crew at 8 pm.