Library / English Dictionary

ALLEVIATE

Pronunciation (US):

(GB):

 I. (verb) 

Sense 1

Meaning:

Provide physical relief, as from pain

Example:

This pill will relieve your headaches

Synonyms:

alleviate; assuage; palliate; relieve

Classified under:

Verbs of grooming, dressing and bodily care

Hypernyms (to "alleviate" is one way to...):

ameliorate; amend; better; improve; meliorate (to make better)

Troponyms (each of the following is one way to "alleviate"):

soothe (cause to feel better)

comfort; ease (lessen pain or discomfort; alleviate)

Sentence frame:

Something ----s something

Derivation:

alleviant (remedy that alleviates pain without curing)

alleviation (the act of reducing something unpleasant (as pain or annoyance))

alleviation (the feeling that comes when something burdensome is removed or reduced)

alleviative (moderating pain or sorrow by making it easier to bear)

alleviator (remedy that alleviates pain without curing)

alleviator (a therapist who makes suffering more endurable)

alleviatory (moderating pain or sorrow by making it easier to bear)

Sense 2

Meaning:

Make easier

Example:

you could facilitate the process by sharing your knowledge

Synonyms:

alleviate; ease; facilitate

Classified under:

Verbs of size, temperature change, intensifying, etc.

Hypernyms (to "alleviate" is one way to...):

aid; assist; help (give help or assistance; be of service)

Sentence frames:

Somebody ----s something
Something ----s something

Credits

 Context examples: 

A type of adverse event that is usually alleviated with additional specific therapeutic intervention.

(Moderate Adverse Event, NCI Thesaurus/CDISC)

Blocking eosinophil activation and the signaling pathways that lead to chemotaxis, degranulation, and reactive oxygen release may alleviate inflammatory conditions and inflammation-associated tissue damage.

(CCR3 Signaling Pathway, NCI Thesaurus/BIOCARTA)

As a result this agent is associated with elevated levels of the neurotransmitters dopamine and norepinephrine in the brain, which may alleviate symptoms of depression.

(D-Phenylalanine, NCI Thesaurus)

Bromazine competitively and selectively blocks central and peripheral histamine H1 receptors, thereby alleviating the symptoms caused by endogenous histamine on bronchial, capillary and gastrointestinal (GI) smooth muscles.

(Bromodiphenhydramine, NCI Thesaurus)

Prior studies on the diet have shown potential for alleviating symptoms of the neurodegenerative disease multiple sclerosis, increasing the efficacy of chemotherapy for cancer treatments, and decreasing visceral fat.

(Fasting-Mimicking Diet May Reverse Diabetes, The Titi Tudorancea Bulletin)

"Action to alleviate the impact of warming oceans is a priority and understanding the role of pollutants in coral disease and mortality gives us more options for solutions."

(Sea fan corals face new threat in warming ocean: copper, National Science Foundation)

Compounds that alleviate pain without loss of consciousness.

(Analgesic Agent, NCI Thesaurus)

D+Q alleviated normal age-related physical dysfunction, resulting in higher walking speed, treadmill endurance, grip strength, and daily activity.

(Senolytic drugs reverse damage caused by senescent cells in mice, National Institutes of Health)

They have no effect on the agent(s) that cause diarrhea, but merely alleviate the condition.

(Antidiarrheal Agent, NLM, Medical Subject Headings)

Treatment to manage or alleviate the fatigue and weight loss often associated with cancer.

(Anticachectic Therapy, NCI Thesaurus)