alleviate
Pronunciation: verb. Synonyms: relieve, allay, temper
verb
Definition of alleviate
lessen the intensity or severity of something negative
Synonyms for alleviate
- relieve
- allay
- temper
alleviate in a Sentence
- Taking a warm bath can alleviate the symptoms of a cold.
Why alleviate Matters for GRE & SAT
"alleviate" is a verb that means "lessen the intensity or severity of something negative" closely related to words like "relieve", "allay", "temper". As a word starting with A, it belongs to a cluster of GRE and SAT vocabulary that test-takers often encounter in Verbal Reasoning, Text Completion, and Reading Comprehension sections.
On the GRE, understanding "alleviate" helps you distinguish between closely related answer choices in Sentence Equivalence questions. On the SAT, recognizing this word in context strengthens your performance on Craft & Structure and Words in Context questions. Seeing how "alleviate" is used in sentences — like the examples above — builds the contextual understanding that standardized tests reward.
Study tip: Start with the definition and part of speech (verb). Then learn its 3 synonyms to build a word network. Finally, practice with spaced repetition to move "alleviate" into long-term memory.
How to Remember alleviate
One effective way to remember "alleviate" (verb) is to group it with similar words you already know: "relieve" and "allay" and "temper". When you encounter "alleviate" on a test, these synonym connections help you quickly recall its meaning — "lessen the intensity or severity of something negative".
Use flashcard apps with spaced repetition to review "alleviate" at increasing intervals until it becomes automatic.
More Vocabulary Words Starting with A
- abate — decrease in intensity; lessen
- aberrant — deviating from what is normal or expected
- aberration — A departure from what is normal or expected
- abet — assist or encourage, usually in wrongdoing
- abeyance — suspension; temporary suppression
- abhor — detest or regard with deep hatred
- abide — tolerate, follow, or accept
- abject — most unfortunate or miserable
- abjure — strongly reject (an idea); forgo
- abound — [{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"text":"Plenty."}]}]