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ease
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- pronunciation:
- iz
- parts of speech:
- noun, transitive verb, intransitive verb
- phrases:
- at ease, ease out
- features:
- Word Combinations (noun, verb), Word Explorer
| part of speech: |
noun |
| definition 1: |
the absence of pain, anxiety, or difficulty.
Her delivery of her second child was one of relative ease.Their many servants provided them with ease and comfort.- synonyms:
- peace, security, serenity, tranquillity
- antonyms:
- adversity, anxiety, difficulty, effort, misery, pain, worry
- similar words:
- comfort, repose, rest, safety, well-being
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| definition 2: |
comfort and financial security.
They lived a life of ease until the war stripped them of their fortune.- synonyms:
- comfort, security
- antonyms:
- difficulty, hardship, misery
- similar words:
- abundance, affluence, content, contentment, prosperity, welfare, well-being
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| definition 3: |
a state of relaxation in the company of others.
Her ease at these formal functions always astounded me.- synonyms:
- aplomb, comfort, composure, poise, self-confidence, self-possession
- antonyms:
- confusion, formality, stiffness
- similar words:
- relaxation, security, well-being
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| definition 4: |
facility.
He speaks Spanish with ease.- synonyms:
- deftness, dexterity, effortlessness, facility, fluency, proficiency, readiness
- antonyms:
- difficulty, effort
- similar words:
- ability, address, adeptness, aptitude, capability, easiness, expertise, faculty, knack, skill
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| related words: |
appeasement, composure, facility, leisure, luxury, peace |
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| part of speech: |
transitive verb |
| inflections: |
eases, easing, eased |
| definition 1: |
to release from pain, worry, or difficulty, or to lessen (such things as these).
Hearing that no one had been seriously injured in the accident eased her mind.This medication will help to ease the pain.- synonyms:
- allay, alleviate, comfort, free, mollify, relieve, soothe
- antonyms:
- aggravate, concern, worsen
- similar words:
- ameliorate, assuage, calm, disburden, lighten, pacify, quiet, relax, rest, smooth, solace, tranquilize
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| definition 2: |
to lighten or release.
She decided to ease the burden on the students by rescheduling the exam.His joke eased the tension in the room.The additional lane should ease the traffic congestion on that road.- synonyms:
- loosen, relax, slack
- antonyms:
- tighten
- similar words:
- allay, alleviate, ameliorate, free, lighten, loose, mitigate, rest, vent
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| definition 3: |
to carefully and slowly move.
He lay his crutches against the chair and eased himself into his seat.- synonyms:
- edge
- antonyms:
- hurry
- similar words:
- advance, maneuver, move, slip
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| definition 4: |
to cause (something) to be a certain way by moving (it) carefully and slowly.
The box was fragile, and she eased the lid open.The nurse eased the bandage off the wound. |
| related words: |
appease, buff, buffer, compose, dull, enable, facilitate, gratify, help, moderate, modify, mollify, quell, relieve, remedy, remit, soothe |
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| part of speech: |
intransitive verb |
| definition 1: |
to become less painful, difficult, or anxious.
The situation now appears to be easing as food and medical supplies have begun to arrive.- antonyms:
- worsen
- similar words:
- ameliorate, calm, lighten, relax, tranquilize
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| definition 2: |
to move or be moved with great care.
She slowly eased into the wheelchair.- synonyms:
- edge
- similar words:
- advance, maneuver, move, sidle, slip
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| definition 3: |
to lessen (often fol. by "up" or "off").
The tension is easing up now that the argument is over.- antonyms:
- tighten
- similar words:
- ameliorate, lighten, loosen, mitigate, slack, soften
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| related words: |
aid, quiet, subside |
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| phrase: |
at ease, ease out |
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