alleviate

/əˈli.vi.eɪt/

Group 6Difficulty 1/3

Definition

(verb)
To make suffering, deficiency, or a problem less severe
GRE

Example in Context

The emergency funding package was designed to alleviate the immediate humanitarian crisis while longer-term solutions were developed.

Synonyms

relieveeaselighten

Etymology

To lift a burden or make suffering lighter.

  • ad- (Latin) — to
  • levare (Latin) — to lift

Memory Aid

🏋️Sounds like “all leveled eight

Imagine ALL your weights being LEVELED to EIGHT pounds — ALLEVIATE the struggle!

Visual Association

🌈A person relaxing in a hammock, feeling their stress melt away like ice cream in the sun.

Semantic Clusters

Synonym Groups

Frequently Asked Questions

What does “alleviate” mean on the GRE?

alleviate (verb) means “To make suffering, deficiency, or a problem less severe”. The emergency funding package was designed to alleviate the immediate humanitarian crisis while longer-term solutions were developed.

How to remember “alleviate” for the GRE?

Mnemonic: “alleviate” sounds like “all leveled eight”. Imagine ALL your weights being LEVELED to EIGHT pounds — ALLEVIATE the struggle!

What are synonyms for “alleviate”?

Common synonyms: relieve, ease, lighten.