ease suffering

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "ease suffering" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in contexts discussing alleviating pain, distress, or hardship, often in medical, humanitarian, or philosophical discussions. Example: "The organization aims to ease suffering in communities affected by natural disasters through various relief efforts."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

54 human-written examples

Casement tried at first to use the services of a foreign office to ease suffering.

The New York Times - Books

He cited access to medical supplies, which have been partially disrupted, as one example of a way to ease suffering.

The New York Times

On the other side are patients' advocates, scientists and other supporters who argue that this research has immense potential to ease suffering from Parkinson's, diabetes and other diseases.

The New York Times

More research needs to be done, but these papers clearly suggest that we can train people in schools, workplaces, churches, and elsewhere to ease suffering in themselves and others.

University of California, Berkeley

Bush received warm personal words from the pope, who hailed his "commitment to the promotion of moral values in American society, particularly with regard to respect for life and the family," and noted his work to ease suffering in Africa.

The Washington Post

Rich country budgets are so strained that it's unrealistic to think that governments will approve much new money — or endorse the excellent suggestion of a financial transactions tax to pay for global health programs — just to ease suffering.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

6 human-written examples

Humanitarian aid may seem neither aggressive nor decisive, but it spares lives, eases suffering and allows the rebuilding process to begin before all becomes scorched to the ground.

The New York Times

Like morphine given as pain relief for terminal cancer patients – "the old man's friend" – it causes death but it also eases suffering.

The Guardian - Opinion

For one thing, the industry's reputation has suffered as a result of high-priced new drugs that have a minimum effect on easing suffering.

Forbes

Opioids are excellent medications for easing suffering at the end of life.

HuffPost

At its heart, yoga is revolutionary, too: a countercultural practice all about transforming your life and easing suffering.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing about humanitarian efforts, use "ease suffering" to convey a sense of immediate and practical assistance aimed at alleviating pain and hardship.

Common error

While "ease suffering" is widely applicable, avoid using it excessively in highly formal or scientific writing where more precise terms like "alleviate distress" or "mitigate symptoms" might be more appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "ease suffering" functions primarily as a verb phrase where "ease" acts as a verb meaning to alleviate or lessen, and "suffering" functions as a noun, referring to pain, distress, or hardship. Ludwig confirms its correct usage across various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

30%

Formal & Business

15%

Less common in

Academia

5%

Wiki

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "ease suffering" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase, as confirmed by Ludwig, that describes efforts to reduce pain, distress, or hardship. Its usage spans diverse contexts, from news and media to science and formal communications. While versatile, it's essential to consider the context and opt for more precise terminology in highly formal settings. The availability of alternatives such as "alleviate suffering" and "relieve suffering" provides writers with options to refine their message. This phrase is very common and can be found in many authoritative sources.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

alleviate suffering

Focuses on making suffering more bearable, reducing its intensity.

relieve suffering

Implies providing immediate or temporary respite from suffering.

mitigate suffering

Suggests lessening the severity of suffering, often in a broader context.

reduce suffering

A general term for decreasing the amount or degree of suffering.

lessen suffering

Similar to reduce, but can imply a more gradual decrease.

soothe suffering

Implies comforting or calming someone who is suffering.

ameliorate suffering

Focuses on improving the conditions that cause suffering.

assuage suffering

Suggests easing emotional or mental suffering.

palliate suffering

Implies providing comfort without curing the underlying cause.

allay suffering

Focuses on calming fears or anxieties that contribute to suffering.

FAQs

How can I use "ease suffering" in a sentence?

Use "ease suffering" to describe actions or interventions intended to reduce pain, distress, or hardship. For example: "The organization's mission is to "ease suffering" among refugees."

What are some alternatives to "ease suffering"?

You can use alternatives like "alleviate suffering", "relieve suffering", or "mitigate suffering" depending on the context.

Is it better to say "ease suffering" or "alleviate suffering"?

Both ""ease suffering"" and "alleviate suffering" are correct. "Alleviate" might be preferred in more formal contexts, while "ease" is generally more accessible.

What's the difference between "ease suffering" and "end suffering"?

"Ease suffering" suggests a reduction or lessening of suffering, while "end suffering" implies a complete cessation of suffering. The choice depends on whether the focus is on reducing the impact or eliminating the cause.