relieved; relieving
1
a
: to free from a burden : give aid or help to
b
: to set free from an obligation, condition, or restriction
c
: to ease of a burden, wrong, or oppression by judicial or legislative interposition
2
3
a
: to release from a post, station, or duty
b
: to take the place of
will relieve the starting pitcher
4
: to remove or lessen the monotony of
a park relieves the urban landscape
5
a
: to set off by contrast
b
: to raise in relief
6
: to discharge the bladder or bowels of (oneself)
1
: to bring or give relief
2
: to stand out in relief
3
: to serve as a relief pitcher
Examples of relieve in a Sentence
I took a pill to relieve my headache.
I wish I could relieve your suffering.
What's the best way to relieve stress?
She tried to relieve the tension by making a joke.
an effort to relieve traffic congestion
We need to find ways to relieve overcrowding in our schools.
I've come to relieve the guard on duty.
The soldiers were relieved by 30,000 fresh troops.
Recent Examples on the Web
Ice and heat therapy are safe, effective, convenient, and cost-efficient ways to help relieve back pain.
—
Rikkilynn Shields Hannigan, Health, 25 Oct. 2025
Jax feels relieved not only that Jax remained a perfect good boy, but also because the blinds did not fall on him and hurt him.
—Liz O'Connell, MSNBC Newsweek, 24 Oct. 2025
Some parents even swear by certain hacks for relieving ear pain during air travel.
—Sherri Gordon, Parents, 23 Oct. 2025
So, Collins was initially relieved to hear from the doctor that her ankle was cleared.
—Jan Goldsmith, San Diego Union-Tribune, 23 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for relieve
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
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Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
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Rikkilynn Shields Hannigan, Health, 25 Oct. 2025
Jax feels relieved not only that Jax remained a perfect good boy, but also because the blinds did not fall on him and hurt him.
—Liz O'Connell, MSNBC Newsweek, 24 Oct. 2025
Some parents even swear by certain hacks for relieving ear pain during air travel.
—Sherri Gordon, Parents, 23 Oct. 2025
So, Collins was initially relieved to hear from the doctor that her ankle was cleared.
—Jan Goldsmith, San Diego Union-Tribune, 23 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for relieve
Cite this Entry
“Relieve.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/relieve. Accessed 31 Oct. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
relieve
verb
re·lieve
ri-ˈlēv 
relieved; relieving
1
: to free partly or wholly from a burden or from distress
relieve parents of worry
2
: to bring about the removal or reduction of
efforts to relieve world hunger
3
: to release from a post or duty
relieve a sentry
4
: to break the sameness of
a black dress relieved by a white collar
5
: to put or stand out in relief : set off by contrast (as in sculpture or painting)
6
: to discharge the bladder or bowels of (oneself)
reliever
noun
Medical Definition
relieve
transitive verb
re·lieve
ri-ˈlēv
relieved; relieving
1
: to bring about the removal or alleviation of (pain or discomfort)
2
: to discharge the bladder or bowels of (oneself)
reliever
noun
Legal Definition
relieve
transitive verb
re·lieve
relieved; relieving
: to set free from a duty, burden, or liability
cannot be relieved of his negligence
the trust cannot relieve the trustees of those very basic duties that the law imposes—Hosey v. Burgess, 890 S.W.2d 262 (1995)
Hosey v. Burgess, 890 S.W.2d 262 (1995)Love words? Need even more definitions?
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