American Dictionary

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Definition ease in American English

ease verb

verb
/iz/
1

to make a problem, bad situation, or pain less severe

Example

Sometimes a mild painkiller is enough to ease the pain.

Example

Colleagues are trying to ease the pressure she is under at work.

Synonyms and related words
1.1

to become less severe

Example

In the following two weeks tensions eased somewhat.

Synonyms and related words
2

to move somewhere slowly and carefully

Example

She eased into the seat behind the desk.

Example

Joseph eased himself off the bed.

Example

I eased my way through the crowd.

Synonyms and related words
2.1

to move something somewhere slowly and carefully

Example

Monica slowly eased the cork out of the champagne bottle.

Synonyms and related words
3

to make a rule or punishment less severe

Example

Sanctions against the country should be eased.

Synonyms and related words
Example

These ideas helped to ease our transition to democracy.

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5

if bad weather such as wind or rain eases, it becomes less strong

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6

to become more relaxed or less tight, or to make something do this

Example

Slowly his grip on her shoulder eased.

Example

I waited until the child's breathing eased.

Synonyms and related words
Definition ease in American English