Do all these words make your head ache? If so, take an aspirin to alleviate, or relieve, your pain.

The verb, alleviate, stems from the Latin root, levis "light" and is related to modern English words such as elevator and levitate — both words implying a lightening of one's load. Alleviate also has this sense of lightening a burden such as physical pain or emotional duress. You can take medicine to alleviate symptoms or do exercise to alleviate stress. Or if you want a bigger challenge: try alleviating traffic congestion or world hunger.

Definitions of alleviate

v provide physical relief, as from pain

assuage, palliate, relieve
cause to feel better
comfort, ease
lessen pain or discomfort; alleviate
Type of:
ameliorate, amend, better, improve, meliorate
to make better

v make easier

ease, facilitate
Type of:
aid, assist, help
give help or assistance; be of service

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