While both "relieve" and "alleviate" mean to lessen something unpleasant, there's a subtle difference between them. "Relieve" suggests a temporary lessening of the problem, often providing immediate relief. "Alleviate," on the other hand, implies a reduction of the severity of something, often over a longer period. Think of "relieve" as offering quick comfort, and "alleviate" as providing long-term improvement.

Here are some example sentences to illustrate the difference:

• Relieve:

  • "The painkillers relieved my headache." (The painkillers made the headache less intense for a while.)
  • "This cream relieved my sunburn's itch." (The cream made the itch less intense, but it might return.)

• Alleviate:

  • "The new medicine alleviated his symptoms." (The medicine reduced the severity of the symptoms over time.)
  • "Yoga and meditation can alleviate stress." (These practices lessen the intensity of stress in a long-term way.)

Notice how "relieve" focuses on the immediate lessening of discomfort, while "alleviate" suggests a more substantial and lasting improvement. Choosing between the two often depends on the context and the duration of the effect you want to describe.

Happy learning!