alleviate

[ uh-lee-vee-eyt ]
See synonyms for: alleviatealleviatedalleviatesalleviating on Thesaurus.com

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.

Origin of alleviate

1
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

Other words for alleviate

Opposites for alleviate

Other words from alleviate

  • 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

Words Nearby alleviate

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024

How to use alleviate in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for alleviate

alleviate

/ (əˈliːvɪˌeɪt) /


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

Origin of alleviate

1
C15: from Late Latin alleviāre to mitigate, from Latin levis light

alleviate

Derived forms of alleviate

  • alleviation, noun
  • alleviative, adjective
  • alleviator, noun

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