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 Alternate shipping routes, release of reserves, export bans and additional subsidies are some of the short-term measures that can alleviate the worst of the pain. — Vidya Mani, Fortune, 28 Sep. 2026 Hilton has tried to court voters, especially Latinos and independents, who dislike Trump but are also dissatisfied with California’s Democratic leadership and its failure to alleviate some of California’s most incessant problems. — Los Angeles Times, 24 Sep. 2026 The successful test stands to alleviate a significant industry bottleneck in which previous systems became easily overwhelmed in fixing errors, leading to delays. — Caleigh Keating, CNBC, 23 Sep. 2026 With climate change primarily driven by human activities like industrial manufacturing and agriculture, information like this can help scientists strengthen the case for making policy changes to alleviate the human impact on our warming planet. — Chelsea Gohd, Space.com, 23 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for alleviate

Recent Examples of Synonyms for alleviate

Verb

The belief that heat can benefit the mind and relieve psychic suffering has a long history across human societies.

— Will Stone, NPR, 5 Oct. 2026
According to a photo from the scene, one appeared to have blood on its hind leg; the other appeared relieved to have its friend back.

— Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 4 Oct. 2026

Definition of relieve

Verb

Bhageria hopes that by starting his search for alternative suppliers now, his company can mitigate potential economic pain down the line.

— Stephanie Yang, CNN Money, 3 Oct. 2026
With four-person staffing, Bolen said, emergency response time and the ability to safely mitigate hazards will be much quicker.

— Harllie Stevenson, Idaho Statesman, 3 Oct. 2026

Definition of mitigate

Verb

Inside, the lobby is dimly lit in soothing lavender and blue and house music is piped in by surround sound.

— Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 8 Oct. 2026
The s and z sounds of cedar scent, soothed, breeze, petals, pads, crossed, shore, and small create a peaceful line of sound that mimics the smooth flow of a river.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 8 Oct. 2026

Definition of soothe

Verb

Another catalyst could come in December, when CHIPS Act funding restrictions ease, allowing Micron to deploy its growing cash pile toward a significant buyback .

— Alexa LoMonaco,Jeff Nash, CNBC, 3 Oct. 2026
Bolsonaro has called for easing environmental rules and allowing farming or mining on Indigenous lands, raising concern that forest loss could increase even if current restrictions remain technically intact.

— Gabriela Sá Pessoa, Los Angeles Times, 2 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 9 Oct. 2026.

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