relieve
- 01 B2 Upper Intermediate
to make pain, stress, or a problem less severe.
to alleviate or mitigate physical pain, mental distress, or an unpleasant situation.
Simple“The doctor gave her some medicine to relieve the pain in her back.”
In context“The government introduced new tax credits specifically designed to relieve the financial pressure on low-income families during the winter months.”
- 02 B2 Upper Intermediate
to take someone's place at work so they can finish their shift or rest.
to release someone from a post or duty by taking their place.
Simple“The night guard arrived at 8:00 PM to relieve the day staff.”
In context“The fresh troops arrived at the border to relieve the exhausted battalion that had been stationed there for six months.”
Synonymsreplacetake over from - 03 C1 Advanced
to free someone from a difficult task or responsibility.
to release someone from a specific obligation, responsibility, or difficulty.
Simple“The new manager relieved him of his duties while the investigation continued.”
In context“The court's decision effectively relieved the company of any further legal obligation to the former shareholders.”
- 04 C1 Advanced
a polite way to say someone is using the toilet.
a euphemistic reflexive construction for urination or defecation.
Simple“He stopped the car at a petrol station to relieve himself.”
In context“The hikers were forced to find a secluded spot behind the trees to relieve themselves before continuing the ascent.”
UsageAlways used reflexively as 'relieve oneself'.
- 05 C2 Proficiency
to bring military help to a city or place that is surrounded by enemies.
to bring military assistance to a besieged town or fortress in order to lift the siege.
Simple“The army finally arrived to relieve the city after three months of fighting.”
In context“The naval blockade was finally broken by a relief fleet, which managed to relieve the starving garrison just before they surrendered.”
“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.”
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.