relieving

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "relieving" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used as either an adjective or a verb. For example: "The warm blankets were a relieving comfort on the cold winter night."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

When they observe happy children with complex needs who appear to behave and look well treated, do inspectors whack out generous "outstanding" judgments as a way of rewarding the school for relieving society of its guilt about what to do with disabled children, rather than basing the grading on whether students are being fully extended to learn?

The Guardian

The good news is that tasks such as education and counselling are increasingly being successfully allocated to non-specialists, relieving the burden on scarcer personnel such as nurses and ultimately allowing more people to be treated.

The Guardian

Nice is expected to say that exhaustive research has shown that manipulation of a patient's spine can be effective in relieving the symptoms of low back pain and recommend that GPs refer sufferers for up to nine sessions with an osteopath, chiropractor or physiotherapist who is trained in manipulation, or an acupuncturist.

The Guardian

Relieving the parties of their responsibility for allocating funds would increase the chances of one of the main partners in the executive – the DUP and Sinn Féin – walking away and collapsing the institutions.

The Guardian

But for now this technique is much more likely to assist in quantum computing than relieving idiots of their appendages.

The Guardian - Film

But Cameron also plans to drive forward on a 24/7 NHS because he sees it as an important way of relieving the rising pressure on both hospitals and GP surgeries.

The Guardian

Research published in The International Journal of the History of Sport last year found that having "dual careers" provides motivation for training and preparation, stimulating athletes intellectually and relieving stress.

The Guardian

The oil price has rebounded, reducing the likelihood of outright deflation and thus relieving some of the pressure on bond yields.

The Economist

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

3 human-written examples

Kini Manjunatha of the National University of Singapore is developing this substance as a pain-relieving agent.

The Economist

St John's wort makes the asthma-relieving drug aminophylline less effective, so symptoms may get worse.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Research has shown that giving pain-relieving drugs to animals that are undergoing experimental surgery may enhance the results, by making the animal's experience more like a person's.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "relieving" to describe actions that diminish a negative state, such as "relieving stress" or "relieving pressure". Ensure the context clearly indicates what is being eased or reduced for maximum clarity.

Common error

Avoid using "relieving" when the situation requires a complete solution or cure. "Relieving" suggests temporary or partial ease, not a permanent fix.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "relieving" is that of a present participle, often used as part of a continuous verb form (e.g., "is relieving") or as an adjective. As demonstrated by Ludwig, "relieving" modifies a noun by describing its effect of reducing something negative.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

88%

Formal & Business

6%

Science

6%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "relieving" is a versatile term, functioning primarily as a verb or adjective, used to denote the action of reducing something negative. Its grammatical correctness is validated by Ludwig AI, and its usage spans across various contexts, predominantly in news and media. The analysis highlights its neutral register and communicative purpose of easing burdens, pains, or pressures. For best practice, use "relieving" when describing actions that diminish a negative state, ensuring clarity by specifying what is being eased. However, avoid it when a complete solution is needed, as it implies temporary relief. Related phrases such as "alleviating" and "easing" offer nuanced alternatives to enrich your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

alleviating

Similar in meaning, but emphasizes reducing the intensity of something, particularly suffering or pain.

easing

Focuses on making something less severe or difficult, often implying a gradual reduction.

reducing

Highlights the act of diminishing or lessening something, such as pressure or stress.

lessening

Indicates a decrease in size, amount, intensity, or degree of something.

mitigating

Suggests making something less harmful, serious, or painful.

alleviating the burden

More specific; directly addresses the act of lightening a load or responsibility.

taking the edge off

An idiomatic expression that implies reducing the intensity or sharpness of something unpleasant.

lightening

Focuses on making something physically or metaphorically lighter, easier to bear.

soothing

Implies a calming or comforting effect, often related to emotional or physical distress.

appeasing

Suggests pacifying or satisfying a demand or need, often to prevent further conflict.

FAQs

How can I use "relieving" in a sentence?

You can use "relieving" to describe the act of easing something negative, such as "relieving stress", "relieving pain", or "relieving pressure". For example: "The new policy is aimed at "relieving the burden" on small businesses".

What are some alternatives to the word "relieving"?

Alternatives to "relieving" include "alleviating", "easing", or "reducing", depending on the specific context. These words share a similar meaning but may carry slightly different connotations.

Which is correct, "relieving stress" or "releasing stress"?

"Relieving stress" is generally more appropriate, as it implies a reduction in stress levels. "Releasing stress" suggests a complete discharge or venting of stress, which may not always be the intended meaning.

What's the difference between "relieving" and "curing"?

"Relieving" implies easing or reducing symptoms or burdens, while "curing" suggests a complete elimination of the underlying cause or condition. "Relieving pain", for instance, might not cure the disease causing the pain.