alleviate
To make suffering, a problem, or a burden less severe.
Examples
In a meeting
“This tool should alleviate the workload on the support team.”
Over coffee
“A hot bath helps alleviate sore muscles.”
Why this word
relieve
Alleviate specifically means making less severe without complete removal, while relieve can mean complete removal of burden or pain
reduce
Alleviate is specifically used for suffering, pain, or problems, while reduce is general for any quantity or intensity
ease
Alleviate is more formal and clinical, often used for significant problems, while ease is more casual and can apply to minor discomforts
Usage tip
Softer than 'fix' or 'solve' — implies reducing pain or burden, not fully eliminating it.
Etymology
Latin alleviare — ad (to) + levis (light), literally 'to lighten'
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Related words
mitigate
To make something less severe, serious, or painful.
remedy
To fix or correct something that is wrong; a solution to a problem.
alleviated
Make a problem or pain less severe
resolve
To settle or find a solution to a problem or dispute.
compensate
To make up for something unwelcome by providing a counterbalancing benefit; to pay someone for work.
substantiate
To provide evidence to support or prove the truth of a claim.