relieving

7 definitions • 10 examples

present participle of

to make an unpleasant feeling, such as pain or worry, less strong:

She was given a shot of morphine to relieve the pain.

She relieved her boredom at home by learning how to type.

to improve an unpleasant situation:

New toll roads could help relieve congestion on other routes.

to provide relief for a bad situation or for people in need:

emergency food aid to help relieve the famine

to take the place of someone and continue doing their job or duties:

I'm on duty until 2 p.m. and then Peter is coming to relieve me.

to free a place that has been surrounded by an enemy army by military force:

An armoured battalion was sent to relieve the besieged town.

polite word for

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.