relief

[ ri-leef ]

/ rɪˈlif /

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noun

alleviation, 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.
comic relief.

OTHER WORDS FOR relief

1 mitigation, comfort, assuagement.

2 remedy, redress.

3 succor, aid.

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OPPOSITES FOR relief

1 intensification.

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QUIZ

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There are grammar debates that never die; and the ones highlighted in the questions in this quiz are sure to rile everyone up once again. Do you know how to answer the questions that cause some of the greatest grammar debates?

Question 1 of 7

Which sentence is correct?

His boss, whom he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

His boss, who he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

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Idioms about relief

on relief, receiving financial assistance from a municipal, state, or federal government because of poverty or need.

Origin of relief

First recorded in 1300–50; Middle English relef(e), releffe, relief(e), from Old French relief, relef(e), derivative of relever “to raise”; see origin at relieve

OTHER WORDS FROM relief

re·lief·less, adjective

Words nearby relief

reliance, reliant, relic, relic area, relict, relief, reliefer, relief map, relief pitcher, relief valve, relier

Other definitions for relief (2 of 2)

relief²

[ ri-leef ]

/ rɪˈlif /

noun

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

First recorded in 1600–10; from French relief, from Italian rilievo; see relief¹

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

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.
What floor?|Sophia Nguyen|February 12, 2021|Washington Post
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 Post
If 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-Science
As 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|Time

Both 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|DAILY BEAST
And, 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|DAILY BEAST
Take 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|DAILY BEAST
Adnan 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|DAILY BEAST
Rob Marshall lets a sigh of relief erupt so loud it could be heard by giants in the sky.
Rob Marshall Defends ‘Into the Woods’|Kevin Fallon|December 9, 2014|DAILY BEAST
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 Wills
Several suggestions for the relief of the country bank have come to their notice.
Readings in Money and Banking|Chester Arthur Phillips
But she kept the same tone, and its tender archness only gave a greater sweetness to his sense of relief.
Confidence|Henry James
And 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 Wills
So 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

relief

/ (rɪˈliːf) /

noun

a feeling of cheerfulness or optimism that follows the removal of anxiety, pain, or distressI 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, etcthe 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 contrastcomic relief

variation in altitude in an area; difference between highest and lowest levela 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 hardshipto 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

Word Origin for relief

C14: from Old French, from relever to raise up; see 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

relief

OTHER WORDS FOR relief

OPPOSITES FOR relief

Idioms about relief

Origin of relief

OTHER WORDS FROM relief

Words nearby relief

Other definitions for relief (2 of 2)

Origin of relief

Words related to relief

How to use relief in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for relief

Word Origin for relief