relief
relief Lexical Profile
relief Game Scores & Validity
• noun
A feeling of reassurance and relaxation following release from anxiety, distress, or pain.
"She breathed a deep sigh of relief when she learned that her family was safe."
The alleviation, easing, or removal of pain, discomfort, or a burdensome obligation.
"The prescribed medication provided quick relief from the severe migraine."
Financial or practical assistance given to those in special need, poverty, or disaster-stricken areas.
"International organizations coordinated emergency relief for the regions affected by the earthquake."
A person or group of people replacing others on duty to allow them to rest.
"The night shift nurse waited patiently for her morning relief to arrive."
A method of molding, carving, or stamping in which the design projects outward from a flat background surface, or a sculpture executed in this manner.
"The museum's classical wing features a marble relief depicting an ancient harvest festival."
Word Nuance & Usage
Do not confuse the noun "relief" with its corresponding verb "relieve" (e.g., "a sigh of relief" vs. "to relieve the pain").
• Rhymes for relief
Word Origin & Etymology
Borrowed in Middle English from Old French relief, from the verb relever ('to raise up, alleviate'), which derives from Latin relevare ('to lift up again, lighten'), combining re- ('again') and levare ('to raise'), from levis ('light in weight'). The sculptural sense was adopted later via Italian rilievo.