26984 words

ease

14 definitions • 23 examples
1
to make or become less severe, difficult, unpleasant, painful, etc.:

Examples:

ease a problem To ease the problem of overcrowding, new prisons will be built.
ease pain These pills should ease the pain.
After the arrival of the United Nations soldiers, tension in the area began to ease.
2
to move or to make something move slowly and carefully in a particular direction or into a particular position:

Examples:

ease something into something She eased the key into the lock, anxious not to wake anyone.
I eased myself out of the chair.
3
the quality of needing little effort or not being difficult:

Examples:

with ease She won the 400 metre race with ease.
for ease of The doors are extra-wide for ease of access (= so that people can get in without difficulty).
4
the state of being comfortable or relaxed, or free from worry or pain:

Examples:

They live lives of great comfort and ease.
He came into the room and sat down with his usual good-natured ease.
5

Examples:

He felt completely at ease.
6
(of a soldier) standing with feet apart and hands behind the back:

Examples:

The soldiers come to attention when an officer enters the room and stand at ease when the officer allows it.
7

Examples:

[ T ] These pills should ease the pain.
8
to move something slowly and carefully in a particular direction or into a particular position:

Examples:

[ I ] I eased through the crowd to the stage.
9

Examples:

She won the match with ease (= without difficulty).
He felt completely at ease (= relaxed and comfortable) with them.
10
Soldiers who are at ease stand in a slightly relaxed position with their feet apart and their hands behind their back.
11
to make something less severe, difficult, etc. or to become less severe, difficult, etc.:

Examples:

ease the burden/pressure/problem He made proposals to ease the tax burden on lower earners.
The rise in interest rates may prompt the government to ease fiscal policy again.
the tension/pressure/crisis eases
12
to become lower in value:

Examples:

a rate/price eases Interbank interest rates in the domestic money market eased in the week to Nov. 15.
the dollar/market eases
13
to move gradually to a different level, or to make something do this:

Examples:

ease back/down/upwards Freight rates eased upwards.
14
the fact that something does not involve difficulty or effort:

Examples:

We rated the products for ease of use, quality, and price.
Actuarial analysts can figure pension fund liabilities with ease.

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