relief

¹ American  

[ri-leef] / rɪˈlif /

noun

1. alleviation, ease, or deliverance through the removal of pain, distress, oppression, etc.

   Synonyms:

   comfort, mitigation

2. a means or thing that relieves pain, distress, anxiety, etc.

3. money, food, or other help given to those in poverty or need.

   Synonyms:

   aid, succor, redress, remedy

4. something affording a pleasing change, as from monotony.

5. release from a post of duty, as by the arrival of a substitute or replacement.

6. the person or persons acting as replacement.

7. the rescue of a besieged town, fort, etc., from an attacking force.

8. the freeing of a closed space, as a tank or boiler, from more than a desirable amount of pressure or vacuum.

9. 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.

10. Literature.

    1. a distinct or abrupt change in mood, scene, action, etc., resulting in a reduction of intensity, as in a play or novel.

    2. comic relief.

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idioms

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

relief ² American  

[ri-leef] / rɪˈlif /

noun

1. prominence, distinctness, or vividness due to contrast.

2. the projection of a figure or part from the ground or plane on which it is formed, as in sculpture or similar work.

3. a piece or work in such projection.

4. an apparent projection of parts in a painting, drawing, etc., giving the appearance of the third dimension.

5. Physical Geography. the differences in elevation and slope between the higher and lower parts of the land surface of a given area.

6. 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.

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relief British  

/ rɪˈliːf /

noun

1. a feeling of cheerfulness or optimism that follows the removal of anxiety, pain, or distress

   I breathed a sigh of relief

2. deliverance from or alleviation of anxiety, pain, distress, etc

3. 1. help or assistance, as to the poor, needy, or distressed

   2. ( as modifier )

      relief work

4. short for tax relief

5. something that affords a diversion from monotony

6. a person who replaces or relieves another at some task or duty

7. a bus, shuttle plane, etc, that carries additional passengers when a scheduled service is full

8. a road ( relief road ) carrying traffic round an urban area; bypass

9. 1. the act of freeing a beleaguered town, fortress, etc

      the relief of Mafeking

   2. ( as modifier )

      a relief column

10. Also called: relievo.   rilievo.  sculpture architect

    1. the projection of forms or figures from a flat ground, so that they are partly or wholly free of it

    2. a piece of work of this kind

11. a printing process, such as engraving, letterpress, etc, that employs raised surfaces from which ink is transferred to the paper

12. any vivid effect resulting from contrast

    comic relief

13. variation in altitude in an area; difference between highest and lowest level

    a region of low relief

14. mechanical engineering the removal of the surface material of a bearing area to allow the access of lubricating fluid

15. law redress of a grievance or hardship

    to seek relief through the courts

16. 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

17. (of a person) in receipt of government aid because of personal need

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Other Word Forms

• reliefless
  adjective

Etymology

Origin of relief¹

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

Origin of relief²

First recorded in 1600–10; from French relief, from Italian rilievo; see relief ¹

Explanation

The noun relief means "the act of reducing something unpleasant," like medicine that brings relief from your terrible headache. Relief has several meanings. It can refer to help or assistance, like disaster relief, or a change for the better: it was a relief when you finally found your car keys. Relief also means "someone who takes the place of another," like a relief pitcher who steps in to finish the game. A relief is also a type of sculpture with shapes carved to stand out from the background.

Example Sentences

Recent trade tensions have put China’s rare-earth monopoly into stark relief.

From Barron's • May 18, 2026

It is a relief to hear a judge actually acknowledge that, because it does influence how cases play out.

From Slate • May 18, 2026

But as the day went on, that relief faded.

From Science Daily • May 18, 2026

Sherman Oaks Notre Dame 8, Oaks Christian 5: The Mission League champions advanced behind freshman pitcher Ainsley Jenkins, who came in and provided three innings of three-hit relief pitching.

From Los Angeles Times • May 17, 2026

To his relief, Renn didn’t notice, as she was preparing for the hunt.

From "Wolf Brother" by Michelle Paver

Related Words

• alleviation
• assistance
• comfort
• happiness
• help
• maintenance
• reprieve
• respite
• satisfaction
• support