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  1. (uncountable) or (singular) Relief is the good feeling you have when something bad is finished or didn't happen.
    Most people are just breathing a sigh of relief that he's gone.
    It was such a relief to see her safe.
    I smiled with relief and thanks.
    Relief flooded his body. He was safe.
  2. (uncountable) Relief is help given to people who have suffered disasters, such as an earthquake.
    The government recently announced it was donating $150,000 to the Red Cross for disaster relief.
    The government was slow in allowing foreign aid and foreign relief workers into the affected area.
    Medicine, food and other relief supplies are blocked by closed border crossings.
    Relief operations are running smoothly.
    Our agency provided emergency relief after the 2005 earthquake.
    The U.S.O.C. has donated 1,000 tents to help the relief effort in China's Sichuan Province.
  3. (uncountable) Pain relief is the reduction of pain.
    After such injuries, pain relief is often the patient's priority.
    Some patients return to the office over and over again, hoping to find relief for every symptom.
    Exercising in warm water often brings immediate relief from pain.
    A person might enjoy temporary relief from stress by playing games.
  4. (uncountable) Financial relief is the reduction of debt or taxes, or receiving money.
    Tony Blair, is encouraging leaders of the richest nations to consider debt relief as a form of aid to impoverished nations.
    Let's get tax relief, a middle class tax cut, for ordinary working families.
    The majority of these people are poor and seeking economic relief for their families.
  5. (uncountable) Relief is somebody who will take over your difficult job to give you a rest.
    2,0000 relief fighters arrived too late to save the city.
    Who needs relief pitchers? Let the starting pitcher finish every game.
  6. (uncountable) Comic relief is something funny during a serious or difficult time.
    A coworker who provides steady emotional support and comic relief can help you get through the day.
  7. (countable & uncountable) A relief or bas relief is a kind of decoration in which a shape is raised above the surface.
  8. (uncountable) If something stands out in relief, it is very noticeable.
    His face and his right hand stand out in sharp relief against the blue background.


Related words[change]