alleviate

[ uh-lee-vee-eyt ]

verb (used with object)

, al·le·vi·at·ed, al·le·vi·at·ing.

1. 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

/ əˈliːvɪˌeɪt /

verb

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

Usage

See ameliorate

Derived Forms

• alˈleviˌator, noun
• alˈleviative, adjective
• alˌleviˈation, noun

Other Words From

• unal·levi·ated adjective
• unal·levi·ated·ly adverb
• unal·levi·ating adjective
• unal·levi·ating·ly adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of alleviate¹

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of alleviate¹

C15: from Late Latin alleviāre to mitigate, from Latin levis light

Example Sentences

“We would have been able to diagnose our son much earlier if we had any clues because he was 12 when he was diagnosed. At that time I didn’t know much about autism at all and it was a very scary and stressful time for us and it was scary for him too. This show will go a very long way in helping to alleviate that fear.”

From Los Angeles Times

Now, in an effort to build more housing to alleviate the affordability crisis, the city is proposing to supercharge those incentive programs in a way that could result in such projects making even more financial sense to undertake.

From Los Angeles Times

But it turns out this chemical process, in which bacteria, molds or yeasts break down sugar to create simpler compounds, could help alleviate the mounting crisis of food waste.

From Salon

New Story, a nonprofit building homes to alleviate homelessness worldwide, partnered with artist Brian Ku to release a limited edition series of NFTs where each sale provided a 3D house for a family in Latin America.

From Salon

Harris winning won’t magically alleviate that reality.

From Slate

Related Words

• allay
• assuage
• ease
• mitigate