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Some common synonyms of alleviate<\/em> are allay<\/em><\/a>, assuage<\/em><\/a>, lighten<\/em><\/a>, mitigate<\/em><\/a>, and relieve<\/em><\/a>. While all these words mean \"to make something less grievous,\" alleviate<\/em> implies temporary or partial lessening of pain or distress.<\/p>

\/\/ the lotion alleviated<\/em> the itching<\/p>" } }, { "@type": "Question", "name": "When would 'allay' be a good substitute for 'alleviate'?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "

While the synonyms allay<\/em><\/a> and alleviate<\/em> are close in meaning, allay<\/em> implies an effective calming or soothing of fears or alarms.<\/p>

\/\/ allayed<\/em> their fears<\/p>" } }, { "@type": "Question", "name": "When is 'assuage' a more appropriate choice than 'alleviate'?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "

The meanings of assuage<\/em><\/a> and alleviate<\/em> largely overlap; however, assuage<\/em> implies softening or sweetening what is harsh or disagreeable.<\/p>

\/\/ ocean breezes assuaged<\/em> the intense heat<\/p>" } }, { "@type": "Question", "name": "When might 'lighten' be a better fit than 'alleviate'?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "

While in some cases nearly identical to alleviate<\/em>, lighten<\/em><\/a> implies reducing a burdensome or depressing weight.<\/p>

\/\/ good news would lighten<\/em> our worries<\/p>" } }, { "@type": "Question", "name": "When is it sensible to use 'mitigate' instead of 'alleviate'?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "

In some situations, the words mitigate<\/em><\/a> and alleviate<\/em> are roughly equivalent. However, mitigate<\/em> suggests a moderating or countering of the effect of something violent or painful.<\/p>

\/\/ the need to mitigate<\/em> barbaric laws<\/p>" } }, { "@type": "Question", "name": "When can 'relieve' be used instead of 'alleviate'?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "

The words relieve<\/em><\/a> and alleviate<\/em> are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, relieve<\/em> implies a lifting of enough of a burden to make it tolerable.<\/p>

\/\/ took an aspirin to relieve<\/em> the pain<\/p>" } } ] }

alleviate

verb

É™-ˈlÄ“-vÄ“-ˌāt How to pronounce alleviate (audio)
Definition of alleviatenext
as in to relieve
to make more bearable or less severe a car pool alleviates some of the stress of driving the kids to and from school every day

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How is the word alleviate different from other verbs like it?

Some common synonyms of alleviate are allay, assuage, lighten, mitigate, and relieve. While all these words mean "to make something less grievous," alleviate implies temporary or partial lessening of pain or distress.

the lotion alleviated the itching

When would allay be a good substitute for alleviate?

While the synonyms allay and alleviate are close in meaning, allay implies an effective calming or soothing of fears or alarms.

allayed their fears

When is assuage a more appropriate choice than alleviate?

The meanings of assuage and alleviate largely overlap; however, assuage implies softening or sweetening what is harsh or disagreeable.

ocean breezes assuaged the intense heat

When might lighten be a better fit than alleviate?

While in some cases nearly identical to alleviate, lighten implies reducing a burdensome or depressing weight.

good news would lighten our worries

When is it sensible to use mitigate instead of alleviate?

In some situations, the words mitigate and alleviate are roughly equivalent. However, mitigate suggests a moderating or countering of the effect of something violent or painful.

the need to mitigate barbaric laws

When can relieve be used instead of alleviate?

The words relieve and alleviate are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, relieve implies a lifting of enough of a burden to make it tolerable.

took an aspirin to relieve the pain

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of alleviate For anxious fliers like myself, understanding how officials decide to close and reopen airspace and approve safe flight corridors can help alleviate some of the stress that comes with crisis-mode travel. —Clare Dight, Condé Nast Traveler, 20 Mar. 2026 And, unlike oil, there are no strategic reserves that can be tapped to alleviate a supply crunch and help to put a cap on prices. —Hanna Ziady, CNN Money, 19 Mar. 2026 Did writing the book help alleviate some of those fears for you? —Amanda Marton Ramaciotti, The Dial, 19 Mar. 2026 Certain eye drops can soothe eyes or alleviate these symptoms. —Bestreviews, Chicago Tribune, 18 Mar. 2026 See All Example Sentences for alleviate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for alleviate
  1. relieve
  2. help
  3. mitigate
  4. soothe
  5. ease
Verb
  • The move marks an effort to relieve pressure on global energy markets, as the conflict spurs major supply disruptions and sends prices soaring.
    — J.D. Capelouto, semafor.com, 22 Mar. 2026
  • How to relieve allergy symptoms Over-the-counter nasal sprays are among the most effective treatments for seasonal allergies, experts said.
    — Kenya Hunter, Chicago Tribune, 22 Mar. 2026
Definition of relieve
Verb
  • The study and device are likely to help researchers understand biological systems, such as circadian rhythms, and nonreciprocal processes, such as how the body breaks down food.
    — Ameya Paleja, Interesting Engineering, 23 Mar. 2026
  • Lee sees those parts of the articles as a potential avenue for helping bring in Republican support.
    — Aysha Bagchi, USA Today, 23 Mar. 2026
Definition of help
Verb
  • Beyond being a snapshot of the past, these barrels filled with lime had been buried to mitigate chemical reactivity and to survive the winters.
    — Maria Mocerino, Interesting Engineering, 23 Mar. 2026
  • His pain is mitigated by his friendship with Ernie Cantwell, the Catholic school’s only Black student.
    — The Know, Denver Post, 22 Mar. 2026
Definition of mitigate
Verb
  • The formula relies on colloidal oatmeal, an ingredient known for its soothing properties, to calm irritation while helping the skin retain moisture.
    — Hana Hong, Glamour, 25 Mar. 2026
  • Even rice extracts contribute, delivering soothing hydration with a subtle brightening effect.
    — Christa Joanna Lee, Allure, 25 Mar. 2026
Definition of soothe
Verb
  • Lines for films eased and the number of brand activations thinned, but celebrities were still circulating — Leslie Mann and Maude Apatow grabbed Terry Black’s on Wednesday.
    — Ana Gutierrez, Austin American Statesman, 20 Mar. 2026
  • How to help ease allergy symptoms Check pollen counts.
    — Janet Loehrke, USA Today, 20 Mar. 2026
Definition of ease

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alleviate
alleviated
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Cite this Entry

“Alleviate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/alleviate. Accessed 27 Mar. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on alleviate

Nglish: Translation of alleviate for Spanish Speakers

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