relieve

[ɹɪˈliːv]

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relieved - relieve

To relieve something means to make it less difficult or intense. Imagine feeling stressed out and then getting a chance to take a deep breath and relax – that's what it's like when we say someone relieved the pressure.

When people use the word "relieve" in everyday conversations, they often talk about ending a bad situation or making a difficult task easier. For example, if you're planning a big move and finally get help from friends who are packing up your stuff for you, that would be a relief. You might say, "Thanks, guys – this is a huge weight off my shoulders." Relief can also come from getting news that's good instead of bad – like hearing that you got the job you wanted after months of searching. In both cases, something was making life hard or stressful, and then things started to feel more manageable again.

How common is "relieve"?

Word relieve is considered uncommon in modern English.
It has a balanced usage among all categories: speech, fiction, newspapers and academic texts.

Definitions

verb

To ease (a person, person's thoughts etc.) from mental distress; to stop (someone) feeling anxious or worried, to alleviate the distress of.
Example: I was greatly relieved by the jury's verdict.
To ease (someone, a part of the body etc.) or give relief from physical pain or discomfort.
To alleviate (pain, distress, mental discomfort etc.).
To provide comfort or assistance to (someone in need, especially in poverty).
To lift up; to raise again.
To raise (someone) out of danger or from (a specified difficulty etc.).
To free (someone) from debt or legal obligations; to give legal relief to.
Example: This shall not relieve either Party of any obligations.
To bring military help to (a besieged town); to lift the siege on.
To release (someone) from or of a difficulty, unwanted task, responsibility etc.
(job) To free (someone) from their post, task etc. by taking their place.
To make (something) stand out; to make prominent, bring into relief.
To go to the toilet; to defecate or urinate.