ease

n.

1. Freedom from pain or anxiety

   comfort, rest, quietness, peace, relaxed physical state, tranquil rest, relaxation, leisure, repose, easiness, satisfaction, well-being, calm, calmness, restfulness, serenity, security, tranquillity, ataraxia, bed of roses, solace, consolation.

   Antonyms pain*, discomfort*, stress. *

2. Freedom from difficulty

   facility, adroitness, expertise, expertness, dispatch, efficiency, knack, readiness, quickness, skillfulness, dexterity, artfulness, cleverness, smoothness, effortlessness, child's play, clear sailing, snap*, breeze*, cinch*; see also cinch.

   Antonyms difficulty, trouble, clumsiness.

3. Freedom from stiffness or awkwardness

   naturalness, poise, familiarity; see composure, informality.

4. Freedom from poverty

   affluence, prosperity, comfort; see luxury 1, wealth 2.

at ease

take one's ease

ease

v.

1. To relieve of pain

   alleviate, allay, relieve, mitigate, lessen, assuage, tranquilize, sedate, drug, administer an opiate, administer a sedative, anesthetize, render less painful, give relief, comfort, give an anesthetic, fit a splint, relieve pressure, cure, attend to, doctor, nurse, ameliorate, restore to health, palliate, soothe, abate, reduce, lighten, poultice, meliorate.

   Antonyms hurt*, injure*, aggravate. *

2. To lessen pressure or tension

   slacken, loosen, relax, prop up, lift, hold up, set at ease, make comfortable, comfort, raise, disburden, unburden, release, soften, give repose to, free from anxiety, relieve, relieve one's mind, lighten, let up on, give rest to, quiet, calm, pacify, soothe, cheer; see also comfort.

   Antonyms weight*, tighten*, distress. *

3. To move carefully

   maneuver, guide, induce, extricate, disentangle, set right, fit, insert, join, facilitate, slide, inch, edge, shift, handle.

   Antonyms force, shove, blunder.

4. To make easier

   facilitate, expedite, smooth the way; see help 1, promote 1.