1. (v. t.) To lighten a burden or weight; to mitigate; as to alleviate back pain\.

2. (v. t.) To lighten or lessen (physical or mental troubles); to mitigate, or make easier to be endured; as, to alleviate sorrow, pain, care, etc. ; -- opposed to aggravate.

3. (v. t.) To extenuate; to palliate.

abate allay anesthetize appease assuage attemper attenuate bank the fire bate be light benumb blunt chasten constrain control cure cushion damp dampen de-emphasize deaden deaden the pain dilute diminish disburden disencumber downplay dull ease ease matters extenuate foment give relief have little weight keep within bounds kick the beam lay lenify lessen lighten lull make light make lighter mitigate moderate modulate mollify numb obtund off-load pad palliate play down poultice pour balm into pour oil on reduce reduce the temperature reduce weight relieve remedy remit restrain salve slacken slake slow down smother sober sober down soften soothe stifle stupe subdue suppress tame temper tone down tune down unballast unburden underplay unlade unload water down weaken weigh lightly