Word
relieve
Phoneticsre·lieve, stress on the second syllable
US/ɹiˈɫiv/
UK/ɹɪlˈiːv/
Definitions
01to reduce pain or worry
B2 · Upper Intermediate
v. to make pain, stress, or a problem less severe.
v. to alleviate or mitigate physical pain, mental distress, or an unpleasant situation.
“The doctor gave her some medicine to relieve the pain in her back.”
“The government introduced new tax credits specifically designed to relieve the financial pressure on low-income families during the winter months.”
02to take over a duty
B2 · Upper Intermediate
v. to take someone's place at work so they can finish their shift or rest.
v. to release someone from a post or duty by taking their place.
“The night guard arrived at 8:00 PM to relieve the day staff.”
“The fresh troops arrived at the border to relieve the exhausted battalion that had been stationed there for six months.”
Synonyms
03to remove a burden
C1 · Advanced Formal
v. to free someone from a difficult task or responsibility.
v. to release someone from a specific obligation, responsibility, or difficulty.
“The new manager relieved him of his duties while the investigation continued.”
“The court's decision effectively relieved the company of any further legal obligation to the former shareholders.”
Antonyms
04to go to the toilet
C1 · Advanced Formal
v. a polite way to say someone is using the toilet.
v. a euphemistic reflexive construction for urination or defecation.
“He stopped the car at a petrol station to relieve himself.”
“The hikers were forced to find a secluded spot behind the trees to relieve themselves before continuing the ascent.”
Usage
Always used reflexively as 'relieve oneself'.
05to help a besieged place
C2 · Proficiency Military Formal
v. to bring military help to a city or place that is surrounded by enemies.
v. to bring military assistance to a besieged town or fortress in order to lift the siege.
“The army finally arrived to relieve the city after three months of fighting.”
“The naval blockade was finally broken by a relief fleet, which managed to relieve the starving garrison just before they surrendered.”
Antonyms
Collocations
Common phrases and expressions where native English speakers use the word “relieve” in context.
Verb
01. relieve someone of their duties
“The manager decided to relieve the employee of their duties following the security breach.”
verb + noun + of + noun
02. relieve the guard
“The fresh troops arrived at midnight to relieve the guard at the gate.”
verb + noun
03. relieve the pressure
“Opening the valve slightly will relieve the pressure in the pipes.”
verb + noun
04. relieve the symptoms
“The doctor prescribed a new medication to help relieve the symptoms of the flu.”
verb + noun
Adverb
05. greatly relieve the stress
“Regular exercise can greatly relieve the stress of a demanding job.”
adv + verb + noun
06. partially relieve the pain
“The ice pack only partially relieved the pain in his swollen ankle.”
adv + verb + noun
Real-World Examples
“Emergency treatment might relieve immediate pain, but changing the appearance and function of badly damaged teeth could require several appointments and continuing care that remained difficult to obtain.” “These sublethal effects can be compared to the way an over-the-counter antihistamine may relieve allergy symptoms while also causing drowsiness.” Etymology
From Late Middle English releven, from Old French relever, specifically from the conjugated forms such as (jeo) relieve (“I lift up”), and its source, Latin relevo (“to lift up, lighten, relieve, alleviate”), combined form of re- (“back”) + levo (“to lift”). Doublet of relevate. Compare levant, levity, etc.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Word family
VERB
NOUN
Domains
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.B2 FirstIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.5.5–6.5TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 4.0–4.572–94TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.785–944
- Frequency
- Frequent
- Level
- B2 · Upper IntermediateOxford
- Updated
- アルファベット
- 読み方の一覧 →
QR code
englishreference.com/q/relieve