alleviate

[uh-lee-vee-eyt]

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

/ əˈliːvɪˌeɪt /

verb

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

Other Word Forms

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of alleviate¹

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of alleviate¹

C15: from Late Latin alleviāre to mitigate, from Latin levis light

Example Sentences

The drug significantly alleviated symptoms, reducing them by five to six points on the anxiety scale in addition to the effects of placebo.

Read more on Science Daily

“While U.S.-Japan relations may have some friction over issues like trade tariffs,” said Kawanishi, “there is likely an aspect where the imperial family, as a form of ‘soft power,’ helps alleviate this tension.”

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Over its years of considering the gondola, one Metro document framed the issue this way: “Could an aerial tram to Dodger Stadium alleviate traffic congestion, clean the air, and spark joy?”

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Aid agencies have complained that humanitarian convoys still do not have enough access to Gaza to alleviate the famine conditions in parts of the territory, and families there are still going hungry.

Read more on Barron's

Invented in the 1940s, countries have been seeding clouds for decades to alleviate drought, fight forest fires and even to disperse fog at airports.

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Related Words

• allay 
• assuage 
• ease 
• mitigate