Alleviate
Ice packs, payment plans, and honest apologies rarely erase pain, but they often do enough that you can sleep.
Learn This WordMeaning
To make suffering, a problem, or a burden less severe; to relieve.
Memory trick
Think “AL-LEVI-ATE” = “levitate”, making something lighter by lifting it up. Alleviate = lighten a burden.
Examples
A short walk can alleviate stress after a long day.
The aid package aims to alleviate poverty in rural areas.
Pain medication helped alleviate her symptoms.
Synonyms
Antonyms
Etymology
From Latin alleviare "to lighten," from ad- "to" + levis "light."
Usage Notes
Often used with “stress,” “pain,” “symptoms,” or “concerns.” It implies relief, not total removal.
Real-life contexts
Use for wellbeing: "This helps alleviate stress."
Use for problems: "What can we do to alleviate the pressure?"
Use for support: "Small changes can alleviate the burden."
Common Mistakes
Alleviate is usually transitive: you alleviate pain/stress. Don’t say “alleviate from” in formal writing.
Master This Word
Add "alleviate" to your vocabulary and practice with AI & smart flashcards!
Start LearningQuick Facts
Part of Speech
verb
Difficulty
intermediateMonthly Searches
~132,000