relieves

Relieves is the third-person singular present tense of the verb relieve. It denotes causing a decrease in pain, distress, or burden, or substituting for someone on a duty. It is transitive and takes a direct object: for example, The medication relieves headaches. The nurse relieves the doctor during rounds. In medical or caregiving contexts, treatments or interventions that relieve symptoms improve quality of life.

Etymology: The verb relieve originated in Middle English relieven, from Old French relever, from Latin relevare, meaning to lift up or lighten. The sense broadened in English to include freeing someone from responsibility, obligation, or discomfort.

Usage notes: Relieves is commonly contrasted with relief (the noun) and reliefs (plural of relief, or sculptural forms). Do not confuse with relive, a different verb meaning to experience again. Related verbs include alleviate, ease, lessen, and exempt. Common collocations include relieve pain, relieve anxiety, relieve pressure, and relieve someone of duty.