B2 verb Formal

alleviation

/əˌliːviˈeɪʃən/

The action or process of making suffering, deficiency, or a problem less severe or more bearable. It refers to the partial improvement of a negative situation rather than a complete cure or solution.

Examples

3 of 5
1

Drinking cool water provided some alleviation of the heat during the hike.

Drinking cold water helped make the heat more bearable during the walk.

2

The proposed policy focuses on the alleviation of poverty through educational grants.

The suggested rule aims to reduce poverty by providing money for school.

3

I'm looking for some alleviation of this boredom, so let's go to the movies.

I want to stop being so bored, so let's go see a film.

Word Family

Noun
alleviation
Verb
alleviate
Adjective
alleviative
Related
alleviator
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Memory Tip

Think of an 'elevator'. Just as an elevator lifts you up, 'alleviation' lifts the heavy weight of pain or a problem off your shoulders (from the Latin 'levis' meaning light).

Quick Quiz

The new government program is dedicated to the __________ of the housing crisis in urban centers.

Correct!

The correct answer is: alleviation

Examples

1

Drinking cool water provided some alleviation of the heat during the hike.

everyday

Drinking cold water helped make the heat more bearable during the walk.

2

The proposed policy focuses on the alleviation of poverty through educational grants.

formal

The suggested rule aims to reduce poverty by providing money for school.

3

I'm looking for some alleviation of this boredom, so let's go to the movies.

informal

I want to stop being so bored, so let's go see a film.

4

The researchers documented the alleviation of symptoms in patients receiving the new drug.

academic

The scientists recorded the reduction of illness signs in patients taking the new medicine.

5

Our primary objective this quarter is the alleviation of technical debt in our software architecture.

business

Our main goal this three-month period is to reduce the accumulated technical problems in our software.

Word Family

Noun
alleviation
Verb
alleviate
Adjective
alleviative
Related
alleviator

Common Collocations

poverty alleviation reducing the level of poverty
pain alleviation making pain less intense
alleviation of symptoms lessening the signs of a disease
stress alleviation reducing the amount of mental pressure
debt alleviation reducing the burden of owed money

Common Phrases

seek alleviation

to look for a way to make a problem less severe

source of alleviation

the thing that provides relief

for the alleviation of

with the purpose of reducing a specific problem

Often Confused With

alleviation vs amelioration

Alleviation focuses on making something bad less severe, while amelioration focuses on making a situation better or improving it.

alleviation vs cure

A cure completely removes a disease or problem, whereas alleviation only reduces the intensity or symptoms.

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Usage Notes

Alleviation is most commonly used with abstract nouns representing negative states, such as 'pain', 'suffering', 'poverty', or 'stress'. It is a formal term often found in medical, socio-economic, and technical contexts.

⚠️

Common Mistakes

Learners often confuse 'alleviation' with 'elimination'. Alleviation does not mean the problem is gone; it just means it is easier to handle.

💡

Memory Tip

Think of an 'elevator'. Just as an elevator lifts you up, 'alleviation' lifts the heavy weight of pain or a problem off your shoulders (from the Latin 'levis' meaning light).

📖

Word Origin

From the Late Latin 'alleviatio', originating from 'alleviare' meaning to lighten or raise up.

Grammar Patterns

Uncountable noun Followed by the preposition 'of' (alleviation of something)
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Cultural Context

Frequently used in international development and non-profit sectors, particularly in the phrase 'poverty alleviation'.

Quick Quiz

The new government program is dedicated to the __________ of the housing crisis in urban centers.

Correct!

The correct answer is: alleviation

Related Words

presolvful

C1

A specialized noun referring to a preliminary batch of information or the initial capacity required to begin resolving a complex issue. It describes the state of having gathered enough preparatory elements to initiate a formal solution process.

dephotoation

C1

Describes the intentional removal or degradation of photographic qualities and realistic details to achieve a stylized or abstract visual effect. It is primarily used in digital art and media theory to define a shift away from high-fidelity realism.

semiprobine

C1

To conduct a preliminary or partial investigation into a system, process, or subject to assess initial conditions or feasibility. It is typically used in technical or analytical contexts to describe a non-exhaustive initial scan performed before committing to a full-scale inquiry.

bivenship

C1

Pertaining to the legal framework or status derived from the Bivens v. Six Unknown Named Agents precedent, which allows individuals to sue federal officials for constitutional violations. It describes the specific remedial and procedural characteristics of such legal actions within the federal court system.

monoultimive

C1

Describes the single, final element or unique terminal point in a specific sequence or process. It is used to emphasize that there is only one concluding step or outcome possible in a given logical or physical progression.

hypersancttion

C1

A hypersancttion refers to an exceptionally severe, multi-layered, or totalizing penalty imposed by an authority or governing body. It describes a level of punishment or restriction that goes far beyond standard disciplinary measures, often aiming to completely isolate the target economically or socially.

informate

C1

A term referring to the information or data automatically generated by a computerized process, which provides visibility into the underlying activities of an organization. Unlike simple automation, which merely replaces human labor, this concept focuses on the capacity of technology to translate processes into readable information for analysis.

intrajudcy

C1

To conduct an internal evaluation or legal assessment within an organization or specific body to resolve a conflict or issue before it is moved to an external authority. This verb describes the process of deliberate internal adjudication used to maintain control over institutional standards.

unifacion

C1

Unification is the process of combining or merging separate parts, organizations, or countries into a single, cohesive whole. It refers to the structural or conceptual act of creating a unified entity from diverse components.

hyperclaudal

C1

Describing a state of extreme closure, excessive isolation, or severe restriction within a system or structure. It is frequently used in technical, theoretical, or test-specific contexts to denote a high degree of impenetrability that prevents external interaction or influence.

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