alleviate

American  

[uh-lee-vee-eyt] / əˈli viˌeɪt /

verb (used with object)

alleviated, alleviating

1. to make easier to endure; lessen; mitigate.

   to alleviate sorrow; to alleviate pain.

   Synonyms:

   assuage, relieve, abate, diminish, lighten

   Antonyms:

   intensify, aggravate, strengthen, increase

---

alleviate British  

/ əˈliːvɪˌeɪt /

verb

1. (tr) to make (pain, sorrow, etc) easier to bear; lessen; relieve

---

Other Word Forms

• alleviation noun
• alleviative adjective
• alleviator noun
• unalleviated adjective
• unalleviatedly adverb
• unalleviating adjective
• unalleviatingly adverb

Etymology

Origin of alleviate

First recorded in 1425–75; late Middle English alleviaten, from Late Latin alleviātus “lightened,” past participle of alleviāre “to lighten, relieve,” from al- al- + levi(s) “light in weight” + -āre, infinitive verb suffix

Explanation

Do all these words make your head ache? If so, take an aspirin to alleviate, or relieve, your pain. The verb, alleviate, stems from the Latin root, levis "light" and is related to modern English words such as elevator and levitate — both words implying a lightening of one's load. Alleviate also has this sense of lightening a burden such as physical pain or emotional duress. You can take medicine to alleviate symptoms or do exercise to alleviate stress. Or if you want a bigger challenge: try alleviating traffic congestion or world hunger.

Example Sentences

"We're seeing more opportunities to alleviate the worst consequences of old age," he said.

From Science Daily • Apr. 5, 2026

In a sign of Moscow’s possible agitation, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said Russia is ready to provide financial and humanitarian aid to alleviate the crisis.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 29, 2026

The government, which has so far ruled out any form of rationing, has also sought to alleviate shortages by releasing oil from the national stockpile and lowering fuel standards.

From BBC • Mar. 27, 2026

The European Commission on Saturday urged European Union members to lower their target for filling natural gas storage in the coming months, to alleviate price pressures caused by the war.

From Barron's • Mar. 22, 2026

By college, I finally decided to give Accutane a shot, but it took two rounds to alleviate most of my skin problems.

From "Americanized" by Sara Saedi

Related Words

• allay
• assuage
• ease
• mitigate