alleviate
5 synonyms and 3 antonyms for alleviate, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Verb — To make pain, suffering, or a problem less severe.
Synonyms
Everyday swaps
Common words most readers know — safe in any writing.
Less common
Still standard English, but they carry more weight.
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
Antonyms
How to use alleviate
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
alleviate pain
alleviate poverty
alleviate pressure
alleviate symptoms
Etymology
From Late Latin alleviare, "to lighten," built from levis, meaning "light" (as in not heavy) — the same root that gives us "levity" and "elevate."
Full origin of alleviate →Frequently asked questions
What does “alleviate” mean?
The word “alleviate” means to make pain, suffering, or a problem less severe. In plain terms, to ease something bad — pain, pressure, a shortage — without necessarily curing it completely.
How do you pronounce “alleviate”?
“Alleviate” is pronounced uh-LEE-vee-ayt (/əˈli.vi.eɪt/ in IPA).
How do you use “alleviate” in a sentence?
Here is “alleviate” used in a sentence: “The medication helped alleviate her back pain.”
What part of speech is “alleviate”?
“Alleviate” is a verb.
Where does the word “alleviate” come from?
The word “alleviate” comes from Late Latin. From Late Latin alleviare, "to lighten," built from levis, meaning "light" (as in not heavy) — the same root that gives us "levity" and "elevate.".
Is “alleviate” a common word?
“Alleviate” is an uncommon word in modern English, usually learned at around the C1 level.
