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

Synonyms & Similar Words

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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 To alleviate the itchy bites, travelers on the flight were provided with antihistamines, though the crew eventually ran out of the medication, The Sydney Morning Herald reported. — Jessica Mekles, FOXNews.com, 17 Oct. 2026 Around the same time, fears of a smaller Chinese crop brought about by an exceptionally hot summer in Xinjiang were alleviated by stronger-than-expected yields. — Sj Guest Editorial, Footwear News, 16 Oct. 2026 Duffield and Kraus collaborated on the screenplay, which helped alleviate many of Duffield’s concerns about his own work. — Jim Hemphill, IndieWire, 15 Oct. 2026 Having an electrolyte drink in the morning or perhaps before bed might alleviate some of that pain. — Sheah Rarback, Miami Herald, 14 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for alleviate

Recent Examples of Synonyms for alleviate

Verb

Zaylee Ovington and Kynslee Black, eighth grade students at the school, said they are relieved Simons has moved away from primarily using Chromebooks.

— Dalia Faheid, CNN Money, 26 Oct. 2026
This can involve releasing residual propellant, relieving pressure, and discharging or disconnecting batteries to reduce the risk of accidental explosions.

— Atharva Gosavi, Interesting Engineering, 25 Oct. 2026

Definition of relieve

Verb

Representatives from Qatar, which has helped mediate negotiations between Washington and Tehran, also traveled to the Iranian capital on Sunday, Reuters reported.

— Lee Ying Shan, CNBC, 27 Oct. 2026
Cocoa prices have dropped in the last year, but relief is coming too late to help prices for this Halloween, said David Branch, sector manager at Wells Fargo Agri-Food Institute.

— Aoife Walsh, Washington Post, 27 Oct. 2026

Definition of help

Verb

The fear of effeminization has never felt so acute, which presumably is why Matt Damon’s Odysseus needed bulging muscles, to ensure his sensitivity was mitigated by pecs of steel.

— Jay Weissberg, Variety, 23 Oct. 2026
This month, the council held a nine-hour hearing to debate tax proposals, including the BAT, as the council attempts to mitigate budget shortfalls for fiscal year 2028.

— Irit Skulnik, CNBC, 23 Oct. 2026

Definition of mitigate

Verb

The hay sauna was a real standout—its subtly sweet scent is both soothing and restorative, said to ease inflammation and relax muscles.

— Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 22 Oct. 2026
Today’s recipe Creamy, sweet dates soothe out the lemon in these bars, while the tart lemon brightens up the dates.

— Jack Dolan, Los Angeles Times, 21 Oct. 2026

Definition of soothe

Verb

The plan is to find candidates from families that renounced their royal status in 1947, which at the time was to ease the postwar financial burden on the monarchy.

— Mari Yamaguchi, Los Angeles Times, 24 Oct. 2026
Reports have also eased slightly, with about half occurring in the first two months.

— Nick Sullivan, Charlotte Observer, 24 Oct. 2026

Definition of ease

Browse Nearby Words

allergy

alleviate

alleviated

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“Alleviate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/alleviate. Accessed 28 Oct. 2026.

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