relieve
Definitions
To reduce or remove pain, worry, or an unpleasant feeling
减轻，缓解（痛苦、忧虑等）
To free someone from a duty or task by taking their place
接替，换班（使某人卸下职责）
Root Breakdown
Root-derivedre- (again) + lieve (from levāre, to lift) = to lift a weight off someone once more. The physical image — taking a load off a tired back — spread to pain, pressure, and duty: relieve pain, relieve stress, relieve the night guard.
Root lev still carries 12 more wordsWhy It Means This
Relieve and relief share one picture: the lightness you feel the instant a weight is lifted off. That is why relieve covers so many domains — a painkiller relieves pain, a vacation relieves stress, and a fresh soldier relieves the guard (lifts the duty off them). In every case something heavy is being carried away.
Common Collocations
- 1.relieve pain缓解疼痛
- 2.relieve stress减轻压力
- 3.relieve pressure释放压力
- 4.relieve symptoms缓解症状
Example Sentences
- 1.
The medicine helped relieve her headache within minutes.
- 2.
A night nurse arrived to relieve the day shift.
Easily Confused
relieve vs relive — One letter apart but unrelated: relieve (re-LEEV) is to ease a burden; relive (re-LIVE) is to live through an experience again. Don't write 'relive the pain' when you mean ease it.
Synonym Comparison
- relieve — lift a burden/pain off; broadest, everyday
- alleviate — formal, for large/systemic problems (poverty, suffering)
- ease — gentle, gradual lessening
- soothe — calm sensations or feelings, often by comfort
- mitigate — reduce the severity of something bad (damage, risk)