ALLEVIATE Synonyms: 42 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

alleviate

verb

ə-ˈlē-vē-ˌāt

Definition of alleviate

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

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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 The shipments meant Adnoc was able to take greater advantage of surging oil prices earlier in the war, and helped alleviate the impact of the broader closure of the strait on global supplies. — Weilun Soon, Fortune, 5 July 2026 Robinson’s availability is a concern, but Garza’s ability to soak up regular-season minutes should alleviate some of that problem. — Jay King, New York Times, 1 July 2026 This is a critical time in history to create sustainable prevention and optimization, not simply alleviate symptoms. — Sherry McAllister, Forbes.com, 2 July 2026 The bill creates a carve-out from laws that expedite transitioning single-family lots into multifamily housing in California to help alleviate the state’s housing crisis. — Seamus Bozeman, Los Angeles Times, 1 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for alleviate

Recent Examples of Synonyms for alleviate

Verb

Cuas relieved pitcher Matt Strahm in the eighth inning and limited the Rays to just two hits and one run.

— Kansas City Star, Kansas City Star, 2 July 2026
Malik Tillman was the hero, relieving the pressure of a 1-0 goal lead with just 10 men on the field with his brilliant free kick.

— Veronica Fernandez-Alvarado, Sacbee.com, 1 July 2026

Definition of relieve

Verb

Advocates say the funds would help build more than 40,000 shovel-ready affordable homes that are unable to move forward because of a financing gap and help preserve thousands of other existing units.

— Iris Kwok, Los Angeles Times, 6 July 2026
Ryan would love nothing more than to help convince the front office to add and give this team a chance down the stretch.

— Dan Hayes, New York Times, 6 July 2026

Definition of help

Verb

While the care tax in the workplace largely falling on women’s shoulders is a systemic and a bias issue, there are some steps both individuals and organizations can take to help mitigate this trend.

— Holly Corbett, Forbes.com, 1 July 2026
In handing down the verdict, the judges said his actions ran counter to Indonesia’s anti-graft efforts and were carried out systematically, while noting as a mitigating factor that the former minister had no prior criminal conviction.

— Chandra Asmara, Fortune, 30 June 2026

Definition of mitigate

Verb

Share a meaningful story with a mentor or a relative far away, because seeing the bigger picture can soothe worries and recenter your priorities.

— Tarot.com, Baltimore Sun, 5 July 2026
The Pineapple Punch Hydrating Face Mask is a single-use, two-piece yellow hydrogel mask infused with ingredients that deliver hydration and soothing benefits.

— Skyler Caruso, PEOPLE, 2 July 2026

Definition of soothe

Verb

Despite hot, humid conditions, a respectable crowd has already gathered, with organizers expecting attendance to grow as temperatures ease later this evening.

— Kyla Guilfoil, NBC news, 5 July 2026
This would let traffic flow, which is so necessary for the vitality and economy of Chicago; provide a safer route for bikers; and ease the frustration of all of those on the streets of Chicago.

— Chicago Tribune, Chicago Tribune, 5 July 2026

Definition of ease

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allergy

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alleviated

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“Alleviate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/alleviate. Accessed 8 Jul. 2026.

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Synonyms of alleviate

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