a wave of relief

USAGE SUMMARY

'a wave of relief' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe a feeling of relief that washes over someone when a difficult situation is resolved. For example: After the detective revealed the identity of the murderer, the victim's family was overwhelmed by a wave of relief.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

30 human-written examples

A wave of relief swept over us.

The New Yorker

Then came a wave of relief: I didn't need I.D.

The New Yorker

J'adore ça," Elbaz exclaimed, and a wave of relief washed over the room.

The New Yorker

I took a deep breath and a wave of relief washed over me.

The New York Times

When the news came through that the captured Israeli soldier Gilad Shalit was to be released, a wave of relief spread across the West Bank.

The Guardian

It is with a wave of relief that I greet the announcement of the plans to commemorate the centenary of the first world war.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

28 human-written examples

Yet a wave of physical relief swept over me.

The New York Times

The foiling of the Gunpowder Plot initiated a wave of national relief at the delivery of the King and his sons, and inspired in the ensuing parliament a mood of loyalty and goodwill, which Salisbury astutely exploited to extract higher subsidies for the King than any (bar one) granted in Elizabeth's reign.

Wikipedia

I read the congratulatory email and was overcome with a wave of elated relief: I'd not only been accepted to an Ivy League college, but there in a single email I'd been handed the financial means to meet the economic burden that the idea of college tuition had placed on my shoulders.

Huffington Post

Unfortunately, neither a dramatic airlift nor a steady wave of relief was in the cards.

The New York Times

True, it's a huge wave of relief that washes over you.

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a wave of relief" to vividly describe a sudden and overwhelming feeling of ease after a period of stress or uncertainty. The phrase works best when the relief is palpable and noticeable.

Common error

Avoid using "a wave of relief" for minor inconveniences. This phrase implies a significant prior burden, so reserve it for situations where the relief is genuinely profound.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a wave of relief" functions as a noun phrase, often serving as the subject or object of a sentence. Ludwig's examples illustrate its role in depicting a sudden and overwhelming feeling of ease. It vividly conveys the intensity and pervasiveness of the relief experienced.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Formal & Business

15%

Wiki

5%

Less common in

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "a wave of relief" is a versatile and commonly used expression to describe a sudden and powerful feeling of ease and comfort after a stressful or uncertain period. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically correct and appropriate for use in various writing contexts. The phrase is most frequently found in news and media sources, where it effectively conveys emotional responses to significant events. While alternatives like "a sense of reassurance" or "an easing of anxiety" exist, "a wave of relief" provides a vivid and impactful way to express the experience of overcoming a burden. Remember to use the phrase when the sense of relief is substantial and genuinely noticeable.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a sense of reassurance

Focuses on the feeling of being secure and free from anxiety, shifting from the intensity of a "wave" to a more stable feeling.

a surge of calmness

Emphasizes the sudden onset of peace, replacing "relief" with its calmer counterpart.

an easing of anxiety

Focuses specifically on the reduction of anxiety, changing the noun and verb while keeping the sense of alleviation.

a feeling of comfort

Highlights the comforting aspect of relief, changing the metaphor from a "wave" to a general feeling.

a weight lifted

Emphasizes the removal of a burden causing the relief, shortening the phrase while maintaining the core meaning.

a collective sigh of relief

Adds the dimension of a group experiencing relief, changing the scope from individual to collective.

a load off one's mind

Uses an idiomatic expression to convey the lifting of a burden, differing in structure and imagery.

peace of mind

Highlights the emotional and psychological state achieved through relief, using a noun phrase instead of a more descriptive one.

a great sense of comfort

Uses more plain vocabulary and slightly alters the structure to shift the focus to the importance of comfort after a moment of distress.

a calming effect

Moves away from the subjective experience to describe a situation's effect that causes the distress to fade away.

FAQs

How can I use "a wave of relief" in a sentence?

You can use "a wave of relief" to describe a sudden feeling of comfort after a stressful event. For example, "A wave of relief swept over her when she heard the good news."

What can I say instead of "a wave of relief"?

You can use alternatives like "a sense of reassurance", "an easing of anxiety", or "peace of mind depending on the specific context.

Is it more appropriate to say "a wave of relief" or "a sigh of relief"?

"A wave of relief" describes the feeling itself, while "a sigh of relief" is an audible expression of that feeling. The choice depends on whether you want to emphasize the internal sensation or its external manifestation.

What's the difference between "a wave of relief" and "a flood of relief"?

Both phrases describe a strong feeling of comfort, but "a flood of relief" suggests an even greater intensity and abundance of the feeling compared to "a wave of relief".