Showing results for alleviate. Search instead for alleviate pain.

Synonyms

alleviate

American

[uh-lee-vee-eyt] / əˈli viˌeɪt /

verb (used with object)

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

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

"Collins 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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Present

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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.

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Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Coordinated releases of 400 million barrels of emergency crude-oil reserves by International Energy Agency member countries helped alleviate supply tightness.

From MarketWatch • Jun. 18, 2026

At minimum, however, Sunday's deal should help alleviate, if not entirely remove, some of the economic strain from the ongoing conflict.

From BBC • Jun. 15, 2026

The SpaceX IPO helped alleviate investor doubts about riskier tech bets, contributing to a broader market rally on Friday.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 14, 2026

“That, to me, is the best way to alleviate most of people’s suspicion. We have a system that breeds skepticism and distrust,” Essayli said.

From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 9, 2026

Small periods of socialization are granted to alleviate the tedium.

From "Mockingjay" by Suzanne Collins

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023