alleviate
uh-LEE-vee-aytverbMeaning to make pain or trouble easier to bear
Memory hook al-LEV-iate: LIGHTEN the load. Kai staggers under a heavy crate until Sven lifts it onto his own broad shoulders. Taking some of the weight is a way to alleviate a burden.
An extra checkout lane helped alleviate the long lines at the store.
In context The volunteers could not end the drought, but they could alleviate its effects: they trucked in fresh water and shared it with every farm in the valley.
Similar ease, relieve, lessen, lighten
Opposite aggravate, worsen, intensify
From Latin alleviare, “to lighten”: ad (to) + levis (light).