cause (pain, distress, or difficulty) to become less severe or serious

the drug was used to promote sleep and to relieve pain

release (someone) from duty by taking their place

another signalman relieved him at 5.30

take (a burden) from someone

he relieved her of her baggage

make less tedious or monotonous by the introduction of variety

the bird's body is black, relieved only by white under the tail

used as a formal or euphemistic expression for urination or defecation

train your dog to relieve itself where you want it to

make (something) stand out

the twilight relieving in purple masses the foliage of the island