noun

relief

relief, aid, respite, replacement

It was a great relief to find my keys.

It was a great relief to find my keys.

They sent relief to the disaster area.

They sent relief to the disaster area.

To my relief, the exam was cancelled.

To my relief, the exam was canceled.

The sculpture was carved in high relief.

The sculpture was carved in high relief.

a sense of relief a feeling of reassurance I felt a great sense of relief.

to sb's relief causing someone to feel relieved To my relief, the exam was easy.

disaster/famine relief aid for a specific crisis The charity provides disaster relief.

Synonyms: comfort, ease, aid; Antonyms: stress, anxiety

From Old French 'relever' (to raise up again). The idea is of being 'lifted' out of trouble.

Imagine a heavy weight being 'lifted' ('re-lief') off your shoulders. That's the feeling of relief.

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