relieve

v.

1. To replace

   release, remove, take over for, cover for, spell*, discharge*, force to resign; see also dismiss 1, 2, substitute 2.

2. To lessen

   assuage, alleviate, soothe, comfort, allay, lighten, mitigate, ease, divert, free, soften, diminish, reduce, console, cure, aid, assist; see also decrease 2, help 1.

relieve implies the reduction of misery, discomfort, or tediousness sufficiently to make it bearable they played a game to relieve the monotony of the trip; alleviate implies temporary relief, suggesting that the source of the misery remains unaffected drugs to alleviate the pain; lighten implies a cheering reduction of the weight of oppression or depression nothing can lighten the burden of our grief; assuage suggests a softening or pacifying influence in lessening pain or distress, calming anger or passion, etc. her kind words assuaged his resentment; mitigate implies a moderating or making milder of that which is likely to cause pain to mitigate a punishment; allay suggests an effective, although temporary or incomplete, calming or quieting we've allayed their suspicions