26984 words

relieve

10 definitions • 17 examples
1
to make an unpleasant feeling, such as pain or worry, less strong:

Examples:

She was given a shot of morphine to relieve the pain.
She relieved her boredom at home by learning how to type.
2

Examples:

New toll roads could help relieve congestion on other routes.
3
to provide relief for a bad situation or for people in need:

Examples:

emergency food aid to help relieve the famine
4
to take the place of someone and continue doing their job or duties:

Examples:

I'm on duty until 2 p.m. and then Peter is coming to relieve me.
5
to free a place that has been surrounded by an enemy army by military force:

Examples:

An armoured battalion was sent to relieve the besieged town.
6
polite word for

Examples:

He proceeded to relieve himself against a tree.
I had to relieve myself behind a bush.
She excused herself to the bathroom so she could relieve herself.
There are no facilities for miles and people have to relieve themselves somewhere.
7
to make something bad or painful less severe:

Examples:

The addition to the school will relieve overcrowding.
She was given morphine to relieve the pain.
8
To relieve yourself is to excrete urine.
9
to arrive or come in order to take the place of another person:

Examples:

The guard is relieved at 6 p.m. by the night watchman.
10

Examples:

If China and other Asian economies let their currencies rise, this will relieve pressure on the euro.
The campaign has fallen short of its goal of relieving the burden of unsustainable debt on the poorest countries.
relieve a burden/strain
relieve congestion/overcrowding Opening the route to truckers would relieve congestion on other roadways.

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