relieve

To make pain, pressure, or another unpleasant feeling less strong.

• This cream relieves pain.
• A warm bath helped relieve the tension in her shoulders.
• Will these tablets relieve my headache?

Similar words: ease, reduce, alleviate

Opposites: worsen, aggravate

Common phrases: relieve pain, relieve pressure, relieve stress

To make someone feel less worried or afraid.

• The good news relieved her.
• I was relieved to see him smiling.
• They felt relieved when their son came home.

How to use it: be relieved to do something (I was relieved to hear that everyone was safe.); be relieved that… (She was relieved that the test was over.); be relieved by something (His parents were relieved by the good news.)

Similar words: reassure, comfort

Opposites: worry, distress

Common phrases: relieve someone's worries, relieve someone's mind, relieve someone's anxiety

To take someone's place at work so they can stop working or leave.

• I'll relieve you at noon.
• A fresh team relieved the guards.
• Who will relieve the night nurse tomorrow?

How to use it: relieve someone (Another nurse will relieve you at six.); relieve someone of something (Her colleague relieved her of the morning watch.)

Similar words: replace, take over from

Common phrases: relieve the guard, relieve someone of duty, relieve someone at midnight

If you do this to yourself, you let urine leave your body.

• I need to relieve myself.
• She found a private place to relieve herself.
• The dog went outside to relieve itself.

How to use it: relieve oneself (He stopped behind a bush to relieve himself.)

Similar words: urinate, pee

Common phrases: relieve yourself, relieve himself, relieve herself

To give help, food, or comfort to someone who is poor or suffering.

• The charity works to relieve the poor.
• Local donors relieved hungry families with gifts of food.
• The fund was established to relieve people in need.

Similar words: help, aid, assist

Common phrases: relieve the poor, relieve the needy, relieve suffering families