The difference between Alleviate and Relieve

When used as verbs, alleviate means to make less severe, as a pain or difficulty, whereas relieve means to ease (a person, person's thoughts etc.) from mental distress.


check bellow for the other definitions of Alleviate and Relieve

  1. Alleviate as a verb (transitive):

    To make less severe, as a pain or difficulty.

    Examples:

    "Alcohol is often a cheap tool to alleviate the stress of a hard day."

  1. Relieve as a verb:

    To ease (a person, person's thoughts etc.) from mental distress; to stop (someone) feeling anxious or worried, to alleviate the distress of.

    Examples:

    "I was greatly relieved by the jury's verdict."

  2. Relieve as a verb:

    To ease (someone, a part of the body etc.) or give relief from physical pain or discomfort.

  3. Relieve as a verb:

    To alleviate (pain, distress, mental discomfort etc.).

  4. Relieve as a verb:

    To provide comfort or assistance to (someone in need, especially in poverty).

  5. Relieve as a verb (obsolete):

    To lift up; to raise again.

  6. Relieve as a verb (now, _, rare):

    To raise (someone) out of danger or from (a specified difficulty etc.).

  7. Relieve as a verb (legal):

    To free (someone) from debt or legal obligations; to give legal relief to.

    Examples:

    "This shall not relieve either Party of any obligations."

  8. Relieve as a verb:

    To bring military help to (a besieged town); to lift the siege on.

  9. Relieve as a verb:

    To release (someone) from or of a difficulty, unwanted task, responsibility etc.

  10. Relieve as a verb (military, job):

    To free (someone) from their post, task etc. by taking their place.

  11. Relieve as a verb (now, _, rare):

    To make (something) stand out; to make prominent, bring into relief.

  12. Relieve as a verb (reflexive):

    To go to the toilet; to defecate or urinate.