alleviate

/əˌliviˈeɪt/

/əˈlivieɪt/

Other forms: alleviated; alleviating; alleviates

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.

Definitions of alleviate

1. verb

   provide physical relief, as from pain
   synonyms: assuage, palliate, relieve

   types:

   soothe

   cause to feel better

   comfort, ease

   lessen pain or discomfort; alleviate

   type of:

   ameliorate, amend, better, improve, meliorate

   make better
2. verb

   make easier
   synonyms: ease, facilitate

   type of:

   aid, assist, help

   give help or assistance; be of service