RELIEF Synonyms: 87 Similar and Opposite Words

relief

noun

ri-ˈlēf

Definition of relief

as in consolation

a feeling of ease from grief or trouble my coworkers' kind words gave me some relief from the grief that I was feeling upon the death of my partner

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in replacement

a person or thing that takes the place of another I can't go home from my nursing shift until my relief shows up to take over

Synonyms & Similar Words

as in comfort

reduction of or freedom from pain the aspirin gave him some relief from the headache

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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 relief Record-breaking temperatures, combined with humidity and little overnight relief, could lead to life-threatening conditions. — Elizabeth Robinson, NBC news, 3 July 2026 The local industry has seen some relief this year with hits including The King’s Warden and Colony, but recovery may have come too late for some of the nation’s struggling cinema chains. — Liz Shackleton, Deadline, 2 July 2026 Rodríguez said emergency economic measures will include relief funds for victims and temporary waivers on documentation and property registration fees to facilitate housing relocation. — Antonio María Delgado, Miami Herald, 3 July 2026 Aroldis Chapman set the major league record for relief strikeouts after rookie Jake Bennett yielded five hits while pitching into the eighth inning for the Boston Red Sox in a 5-2 victory over the Los Angeles Angels on Friday night. — ABC News, 4 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for relief

Recent Examples of Synonyms for relief

Noun

Senegal did not even get to celebrate a late consolation, with Mbappe thumping the ball home brilliantly from distance.

— Anantaajith Raghuraman, New York Times, 5 July 2026
Hemingway, who championed self-mastery, gave the old fisherman in his novella exactly one consolation out there alone in the Gulf Stream, the thought of the great DiMaggio, who did everything perfectly even with the bone spur in his heel.

— Anthony Scaramucci, Fortune, 28 June 2026

Definition of consolation

Noun

The first one features a six-foot tall bronze cast angel whose wings enfold around a granite bench; the sculpture was intended to offer the comfort of an angel’s embrace for visitors who take a seat there.

— Angie Leventis Lourgos, Chicago Tribune, 5 July 2026
Honest depth heals best when paired with patience and respect for everyone’s comfort level.

— Tarot.com, Baltimore Sun, 5 July 2026

Definition of comfort

Noun

Once all but deserted, the town experienced a revival in 1965, when artists and musicians began to flock there after encouragement from the Yugoslav government.

— Tia Lovisa Moreira, Travel + Leisure, 2 July 2026
Alexandria government roasted for absurd anti-fireworks tweet The government of Alexandria tweeted Wednesday a blunt warning about fireworks — and encouragement to snitch on your neighbors.

— David Hookstead OutKick, FOXNews.com, 2 July 2026

Definition of encouragement

Noun

By triggering the release of a natural growth factor in the brain and modulating neural pathways associated with addiction and reward, ibogaine restores healthy dopamine function and reduces cravings, Barsuglia said.

— Gavin Escott, USA Today, 6 July 2026
In a White House news release listing 60 actions the administration has taken as part of its America First agenda to restrict immigration, the first four actions were decisions by the Supreme Court.

— Andrea Castillo, Los Angeles Times, 6 July 2026

Definition of release

Noun

Chinese diplomats and the foreign ministry say that their outreach in the region is aimed at building friendship and assisting countries with poverty alleviation, agricultural and economic development, and law and order.

— Didi Kirsten Tatlow, MSNBC Newsweek, 1 Apr. 2026
Lillian Wald, the founder of public health nursing, was also a champion of women’s suffrage, poverty alleviation, and racial equality.

— Patrick Smith, STAT, 27 Jan. 2026