relief
1alleviation, ease, or deliverance through the removal of pain, distress, oppression, etc.
a means or thing that relieves pain, distress, anxiety, etc.
money, food, or other help given to those in poverty or need.
something affording a pleasing change, as from monotony.
release from a post of duty, as by the arrival of a substitute or replacement.
the person or persons acting as replacement.
the rescue of a besieged town, fort, etc., from an attacking force.
the freeing of a closed space, as a tank or boiler, from more than a desirable amount of pressure or vacuum.
Feudal Law. a fine or composition which the heir of a feudal tenant paid to the lord for the privilege of succeeding to the estate.
Literature.
a distinct or abrupt change in mood, scene, action, etc., resulting in a reduction of intensity, as in a play or novel.
Idioms about relief
on relief, receiving financial assistance from a municipal, state, or federal government because of poverty or need.
Origin of relief
1Other words for relief
1 | mitigation, comfort, assuagement |
2 | remedy, redress |
3 | succor, aid |
Opposites for relief
1 | intensification |
Other words from relief
- re·lief·less, adjective
Words Nearby relief
Other definitions for relief (2 of 2)
prominence, distinctness, or vividness due to contrast.
the projection of a figure or part from the ground or plane on which it is formed, as in sculpture or similar work.
a piece or work in such projection.
an apparent projection of parts in a painting, drawing, etc., giving the appearance of the third dimension.
Physical Geography. the differences in elevation and slope between the higher and lower parts of the land surface of a given area.
Also called relief printing. Printing. any printing process, as letterpress or flexography, in which the printing ink is transferred to paper or another printed surface from areas that are higher than the rest of the block.
Origin of relief
2Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024
How to use relief in a sentence
When they finally meet up in the elevator, they look like they can’t believe it themselves, and you feel almost stupid with relief.
Vance saw a pre-screening of the film and expressed relief that people wouldn’t see those scenes.
The very real, very painful reasons the autistic community demanded two restraint scenes be removed from Sia’s new film ‘Music’ | Theresa Vargas | February 10, 2021 | Washington PostIf you’re an athlete, you can use them for additional relief on sore muscles.
Best hand warmers: Block the chill during your favorite winter activities | PopSci Commerce Team | February 10, 2021 | Popular-ScienceAs arguments about the size and scope of covid relief demonstrate, political debate alone does not pose an existential threat to the Republic.
Want Unity For Real? Then America Needs to Get Back to Facts | Samar Ali, Bill Haslam and Jon Meacham | February 8, 2021 | TimeBoth executives expressed relief that the merger with Outbrain fell through last year.
Publishers worry Taboola’s SPAC funding could make them more dependent on its ad revenue | Sara Guaglione | February 8, 2021 | Digiday
In January, an appeal hearing will determine whether he qualifies for post-conviction relief.
The Deal With Serial’s Jay? He’s Pissed Off, Mucks Up Our Timeline | Emily Shire | December 31, 2014 | THE DAILY BEASTAnd, every election, we have our quasi-comic-relief candidates, your Al Haigs and Gary Bauers and Bill Richardsons.
Be the Smarter Bush Brother, Jeb: Don’t Run! | Michael Tomasky | December 17, 2014 | THE DAILY BEASTTake responsibility for an endless stream of people, even as our own suffer, and struggle to get policy relief from Washington.
The Progressive Case Against Birthright Citizenship | Keli Goff | December 15, 2014 | THE DAILY BEASTAdnan has an appeal hearing for post-conviction relief set for January.
The Scoop on ‘Serial’: Making Sense of The Nisha Call, Asia's Letters, and Our Obsession | Emily Shire | December 11, 2014 | THE DAILY BEASTRob Marshall lets a sigh of relief erupt so loud it could be heard by giants in the sky.
It was with a feeling of relief on both sides that the arrival of Mr. Haggard, of the Home Office, was announced.
The Pit Town Coronet, Volume I (of 3) | Charles James WillsSeveral suggestions for the relief of the country bank have come to their notice.
Readings in Money and Banking | Chester Arthur PhillipsBut she kept the same tone, and its tender archness only gave a greater sweetness to his sense of relief.
Confidence | Henry JamesAnd now everybody turned out with a feeling of intense relief to witness the rejoicings on the village green.
The Pit Town Coronet, Volume I (of 3) | Charles James WillsSo with its completion, he wrapped it carefully, and sent it to a Chicago publisher, while he sighed with relief.
The Homesteader | Oscar Micheaux
British Dictionary definitions for relief
/ (rɪˈliːf) /
a feeling of cheerfulness or optimism that follows the removal of anxiety, pain, or distress: I breathed a sigh of relief
deliverance from or alleviation of anxiety, pain, distress, etc
help or assistance, as to the poor, needy, or distressed
(as modifier): relief work
short for tax relief
something that affords a diversion from monotony
a person who replaces or relieves another at some task or duty
a bus, shuttle plane, etc, that carries additional passengers when a scheduled service is full
a road (relief road) carrying traffic round an urban area; bypass
the act of freeing a beleaguered town, fortress, etc: the relief of Mafeking
(as modifier): a relief column
Also called: relievo, rilievo sculpture architect
the projection of forms or figures from a flat ground, so that they are partly or wholly free of it
a piece of work of this kind
a printing process, such as engraving, letterpress, etc, that employs raised surfaces from which ink is transferred to the paper
any vivid effect resulting from contrast: comic relief
variation in altitude in an area; difference between highest and lowest level: a region of low relief
mechanical engineering the removal of the surface material of a bearing area to allow the access of lubricating fluid
law redress of a grievance or hardship: to seek relief through the courts
European history a succession of payments made by an heir to a fief to his lord: the size of the relief was determined by the lord within bounds set by custom
on relief US and Canadian (of a person) in receipt of government aid because of personal need
Origin of relief
1Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
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