mindmap root((缓解)) relieve implies a lifting of enough of a burden to make it endurable or even temporarily forgotten: took drugs to ~ the pain. alleviate implies a temporary or partial lessening of pain or distress: new buildings that will help to ~ the housing shortage. lighten implies a reducing of a burdensome or depressing weight and often connotes a cheering influence: good news that ~ed his worries. assuage implies the softening or sweetening of what is harsh and disagreeable: hoped that a vacation would ~ the pain of the divorce. mitigate suggests a moderating or countering of the effects of something inflicting or likely to inflict pain or distress: ocean breezes ~d the intense heat. allay implies an effective calming or soothing especially of fears or alarms: the encouraging report ~ed their fears.