| Library / English Dictionary |
ALLEVIATION
| Pronunciation (US): |  | (GB): | |
I. (noun)
Sense 1
Meaning:
The act of reducing something unpleasant (as pain or annoyance)
Example:
he asked the nurse for relief from the constant pain
Synonyms:
alleviation; easement; easing; relief
Classified under:
Nouns denoting acts or actions
Hypernyms ("alleviation" is a kind of...):
decrease; diminution; reduction; step-down (the act of decreasing or reducing something)
Hyponyms (each of the following is a kind of "alleviation"):
spasmolysis (the relaxation or relief of muscle spasms)
detente (the easing of tensions or strained relations (especially between nations))
palliation (easing the severity of a pain or a disease without removing the cause)
liberalisation; liberalization; relaxation (the act of making less strict)
decompressing; decompression (relieving pressure (especially bringing a compressed person gradually back to atmospheric pressure))
Derivation:
alleviate (provide physical relief, as from pain)
Sense 2
Meaning:
The feeling that comes when something burdensome is removed or reduced
Example:
as he heard the news he was suddenly flooded with relief
Synonyms:
alleviation; assuagement; relief
Classified under:
Nouns denoting feelings and emotions
Hypernyms ("alleviation" is a kind of...):
comfort (a feeling of freedom from worry or disappointment)
Derivation:
alleviate (provide physical relief, as from pain)
