IELTS Speaking · Vocabulary
alleviate
verb/əˈliːvieɪt/Band 9
Last updated 21 July 2026
In short
“alleviate” is a Band 9 verb that means to make pain, suffering, or a problem less severe. Below you'll find its pronunciation, natural example sentences, synonyms and antonyms, and the collocations that help you use it accurately in the IELTS Speaking test.
Meaning
To make pain, suffering, or a problem less severe.
Example sentences
Natural, spoken examples at the level an examiner rewards.
- “Painkillers can alleviate the symptoms.”
- “The scheme was set up to alleviate poverty.”
Synonyms & antonyms
Synonyms
easerelievereducesoothe
Antonyms
aggravateworsenintensify
Collocations & common phrases
Word partners that make your usage sound natural — the difference between knowing a word and using it well.
Collocations
alleviate painalleviate symptomsalleviate suffering
Common phrases
help to alleviate
Related words
Explore more vocabulary
Frequently asked questions
What does “alleviate” mean?
To make pain, suffering, or a problem less severe.
How do you use “alleviate” in a sentence?
For example: “Painkillers can alleviate the symptoms.”
What are some synonyms for “alleviate”?
Synonyms include ease, relieve, reduce, soothe.
Is “alleviate” good vocabulary for IELTS Speaking?
Yes. It is Band 9 vocabulary, and collocations such as alleviate pain, alleviate symptoms, alleviate suffering help you use it naturally. Reaching for precise, less common words like this is exactly what lifts your Lexical Resource score.
Next step
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