alleviate

to make pain or trouble less severe

Roots

  • ad- / a-: to, toward, added onto, or intensified
  • lev: lift, lighten, or make less heavy

Other words with the lev root

  • elevate: to lift up or raise in rank
  • elevator: machine that lifts people or things
  • levity: lightness, especially in mood

Alleviate lifts some weight off the problem. It may not solve everything, but it lightens the load.

A clear plan helped alleviate the pressure before the deadline.

Alleviate is a kind word. Picture a burden being lifted slightly from someone’s shoulders. The pain is still real, but it is less crushing.

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