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adjective B2 Upper-Intermediate Common

relieved

rih-LEEVD

Relieved (adjective) means feeling reassured or free from anxiety after a worry has passed. Example: “She was relieved to hear the test results were negative.”

adjective
1
Feeling reassured or free from anxiety after a worry has passed.
"She was relieved to hear the test results were negative."

How to Use Relieved

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishFeeling the ease that comes after a worry lifts.

Common pairings
relieved to hear feel relieved

Word Forms

more relieved comparative, most relieved superlative

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She was _____ to hear the test results were negative.

Related Words

Rhymes for relieved

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Frequently Asked Questions

What does “relieved” mean?

The word “relieved” means feeling reassured or free from anxiety after a worry has passed. In plain terms, feeling the ease that comes after a worry lifts.

How do you pronounce “relieved”?

“Relieved” is pronounced rih-LEEVD (/ɹɪˈliːvd/ in IPA).

How do you use “relieved” in a sentence?

Here is “relieved” used in a sentence: “She was relieved to hear the test results were negative.”

What part of speech is “relieved”?

“Relieved” is an adjective.

Is “relieved” a common word?

“Relieved” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B2 level.

What is the difference between "relieved" and "relaxed"?

"Relieved" describes the specific feeling of anxiety lifting after a worry has passed, while "relaxed" describes a general state of being calm and free from tension. You feel relieved when a particular fear turns out fine; you feel relaxed simply when you are at ease.

What is the difference between "relieved" and "grateful"?

"Relieved" is about the easing of worry once a concern has passed, while "grateful" is about feeling thankful for something good. The two often occur together — you can be relieved a problem is over and grateful to those who helped — but they name different feelings.

What preposition follows "relieved"?

Several work: you can be "relieved at the news," "relieved by the outcome," or "relieved to hear" something. You are also often "relieved that" a worry has passed, with "that" introducing the reassuring fact.

Does "relieved" describe a temporary feeling or a lasting one?

"Relieved" usually describes a temporary reaction — the moment of reassurance right after a worry passes. It marks the point at which anxiety lifts, rather than a permanent state of mind.

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