Relieve Meaning
Relieve Definition & Usage
To ease or reduce the intensity of something, especially pain, stress, or discomfort.
Examples
- "The medication helped relieve the pain in his back."
- "A deep breath can relieve stress after a long day."
- "The cool breeze relieved the heat of the afternoon."
- "She was relieved to hear the good news about her health."
- "The massage relieved the tension in her shoulders."
To take over or free someone from a task, duty, or responsibility.
Examples
- "He was relieved of his duties as manager after the restructuring."
- "After a long shift, she was relieved by her colleague."
- "The nurse was relieved by the doctor for the night shift."
- "The new employee will relieve the team of some of their workload."
- "He felt a weight lifted when he was relieved of the difficult task."
To make someone feel better or more at ease, often emotionally or mentally.
Examples
- "Her kind words helped relieve my anxiety about the presentation."
- "It was a relief to know that everything was going to be okay."
- "The movie relieved him of his worries for a few hours."
- "His reassurance helped relieve her fears about the future."
- "The unexpected call from a friend relieved her loneliness."
Cultural Context
The concept of 'relief' has been a central theme in many cultures, especially related to the alleviation of physical or emotional pain. In modern times, relief often signifies not only the end of discomfort but also the ability to move forward or feel liberated from burdens.
A Moment of Relief
Story
A Moment of Relief
The sun had been blazing down relentlessly, and Emma had spent the last few hours in the garden, trying to finish her landscaping project. Her back ached, and she could feel beads of sweat forming on her brow. Just as she was about to take a break, her phone buzzed. It was a message from her friend, Sarah, asking if she wanted to meet for coffee. Emma sighed with relief; a break was exactly what she needed. The coffee shop was cool and dimly lit, a perfect contrast to the heat outside. As they sat down with their iced drinks, Emma felt the tension in her shoulders slowly begin to release. The conversation shifted from light-hearted chit-chat to deeper topics, and Emma found herself opening up about her recent stress. Sarah listened intently, offering supportive words that brought a sense of calm over Emma. For the first time in days, Emma felt her anxieties begin to dissipate. It wasn’t just the cool drink or the comfortable chair—there was something about being heard and understood that brought a true sense of relief. Emma felt lighter, as though a heavy burden had been lifted off her chest. As she said goodbye to Sarah, she took a deep breath, feeling ready to return to her work with renewed energy. For the rest of the day, the thought of the conversation lingered in her mind, reminding her of the power of a simple act of kindness. Later, when she returned home, the sight of the sunset cast a golden glow over the garden, making the work seem less overwhelming. With each passing minute, she felt the weight of the day lift, and the relief she had found earlier seemed to stay with her.
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