re·lieve 
/rɪˈli:v/ verb
re·lieves; re·lieved; re·liev·ing /rɪˈli:v/ verb [+ obj] 1 : to reduce or remove (something, such as pain or an unpleasant feeling)
▪ I took a pill to relieve my headache. ▪ I wish I could relieve your suffering. ▪ What's the best way to relieve stress? ▪ She tried to relieve the tension by making a joke. 2 : to make (a problem) less serious
▪ an effort to relieve traffic congestion ▪ relieve poverty ▪ We need to find ways to relieve overcrowding in our schools. 3 : to take the place of (someone who has been working, fighting, etc.)
▪ I've come to relieve the guard on duty. ▪ The soldiers were relieved by 30,000 fresh troops. ▪ (baseball) He relieved the starting pitcher in the sixth inning. 4 : to make (something) less boring, dull, etc., by including a part that is different
▪ His latest book is a long, serious novel relieved only by the occasional joke.
▪ I took a pill to relieve my headache. ▪ I wish I could relieve your suffering. ▪ What's the best way to relieve stress? ▪ She tried to relieve the tension by making a joke.
▪ an effort to relieve traffic congestion ▪ relieve poverty ▪ We need to find ways to relieve overcrowding in our schools.
▪ I've come to relieve the guard on duty. ▪ The soldiers were relieved by 30,000 fresh troops. ▪ (baseball) He relieved the starting pitcher in the sixth inning.
▪ His latest book is a long, serious novel relieved only by the occasional joke.
relieve of [phrasal verb]
relieve (someone) of (something) 1 formal : to take (something that is difficult or unpleasant) from (someone)
▪ She signed a contract that relieved him of all responsibility regarding the business. ▪ The law relieves you of any liability. [=under the law, you will not be liable] 2 informal + humorous : to steal (something) from (someone)
▪ Someone relieved him of his wallet. [=someone stole his wallet] 3 : to remove (someone who has done something wrong) from (a post, duty, job, etc.)
▪ The general was relieved of his command.
▪ She signed a contract that relieved him of all responsibility regarding the business. ▪ The law relieves you of any liability. [=under the law, you will not be liable]
▪ Someone relieved him of his wallet. [=someone stole his wallet]
▪ The general was relieved of his command.
relieve yourself
: to pass waste from your body
▪ He stopped the car and went out into the woods to relieve himself. [=urinate] ▪ The puppy relieved himself on the carpet.
▪ He stopped the car and went out into the woods to relieve himself. [=urinate] ▪ The puppy relieved himself on the carpet.
