Synonyms

alleviate

American

[uh-lee-vee-eyt] / əˈli viˌeɪt /

verb (used with object)

to make easier to endure; lessen; mitigate.

to alleviate sorrow; to alleviate pain.

Synonyms:

assuage, relieve, abate, diminish, lighten

Antonyms:

intensify, aggravate, strengthen, increase

alleviate British

/ əˈliːvɪˌeɪt /

verb

(tr) to make (pain, sorrow, etc) easier to bear; lessen; relieve

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

Conjugated Forms

Present

Past

Future

Etymology

Origin of alleviate

First recorded in 1425–75; late Middle English alleviaten, from Late Latin alleviātus “lightened,” past participle of alleviāre “to lighten, relieve,” from al- al- + levi(s) “light in weight” + -āre, infinitive verb suffix

Explanation

Do all these words make your head ache? If so, take an aspirin to alleviate, or relieve, your pain. The verb, alleviate, stems from the Latin root, levis "light" and is related to modern English words such as elevator and levitate — both words implying a lightening of one's load. Alleviate also has this sense of lightening a burden such as physical pain or emotional duress. You can take medicine to alleviate symptoms or do exercise to alleviate stress. Or if you want a bigger challenge: try alleviating traffic congestion or world hunger.

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Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

“But we have an acute housing shortage and we’re pulling all the levers we can to alleviate that.”

From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 14, 2026

There are multiple Metro stations within walking distance of the venue and the agency is running an enhanced service program around the city to alleviate traffic.

From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 11, 2026

A long-term-care policy can, more than anything, help alleviate the financial burden that may lie ahead.

From MarketWatch • Jun. 4, 2026

I’m ready to represent the communities that I grew up in and love to prioritize investments that alleviate the pain that too many working families are experiencing.

From Salon • Jun. 2, 2026

This doesn’t alleviate my guilt over my own assumption, but okay.

From "Odd One Out" by Nic Stone

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023