to relieve

Examples

• All

• You've just been relieved of a major responsibility.

  The Cobweb (1955)

• The team was happy when they found someone to relieve them of the extra workload.

• The day staff will relieve you just before mass.

  Thunder on the Hill (1951)

• I relieve you of your obligation.

  Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves (1991)

• I have been instructed to relieve you of your duties here in Venice.

  Casanova (2005)

• I'm gonna get some shut eye, and I'll relieve you at 12:00.

  To All a Goodnight (1980)

• Chris Sabian has been relieved of his command and I'm in charge.

  The Negotiator (1998)

• I pulled into my driveway, relieved to find Bertha's boat of a Pontiac still there.

  Fiction book (1990)

• Mr. Hawkins, you'll relieve Mr. Kearny on prisoner watch.

  Abraham Lincoln vs. Zombies (2012)

• After a long week, I was finally relieved of my responsibilities for the weekend.

Synonyms

E

to excuse

vsto relieve

∞ 1.5

Allow someone to leave a place or activity

removes the duty itself rather than only permitting temporary absence

R

to release

vsto relieve

∞ 1.8

To let someone or something go free from being held

refers to removing physical restraint rather than freeing someone from duties

F

to free

vsto relieve

238 1.8

To excuse someone from a duty or rule

focuses on removing duties or obligations rather than blame or guilt

D

to discharge

vsto relieve

• Formal

100 4.4

Officially release someone from a duty, job, or responsibility

is used more broadly and not restricted to official endings of service

L

to let off

vsto relieve

75 3.5

To not punish someone or excuse them from a duty

is more neutral and applies beyond informal pardons or casual excuses

A

to absolve

vsto relieve

• Formal

50 7.2

Make someone officially free from blame, guilt, or responsibility

focuses on removing duties or obligations rather than pardoning blame or guilt

E

to exempt

vsto relieve

• Formal

30 4.1

To free someone officially from a rule or obligation

applies more broadly, not only in formal official cases

E

to extricate

vsto relieve

22 7.6

Free a person or thing from something that traps them

concerns escaping complex situations rather than ending formal duties or obligations

D

to disembarrass

vsto relieve

• Archaic

1 9.9

To free a person or thing from an unwanted burden like debts

highlights easing troublesome load rather than formally excusing duty or obligation

D

to disburden

vsto relieve

9.0

To take away heavy things and worries from someone or something

focuses on easing a burden rather than formally ending a duty

D

to disencumber

vsto relieve

• Archaic

9.9

To free someone or something from a problem that makes things hard

focuses on removing burdens or obstacles rather than ending duties or rules

Antonyms

B

to burden

77 3.7

To give someone a heavy load or a difficult task

Phrasal Verbs

R

to relieve oneself

• Formal

11 7.5

To pee or poo, usually in a toilet

R

to relieve stress

5 3.5

To make you feel less tense or worried

R

to relieve nature

• Archaic

8.4

To go to the toilet to pee or poo

R

to relieve stress

• Specialized

5.8

To reduce forces inside a metal or glass, usually by heating it

R

to relieve muscle tension

3.7

To make muscles feel less tight or stiff

How Free

to exempt

• Formal

30 4.1

to relieve

201 3.2

to discharge

• Formal

100 4.4

release

• Formal

40 4.2

to spare

206 3.3

Surface Forms

Etymology