EASING

Pronunciation (US):

(GB):

IPA (US):

 Dictionary entry overview: What does easing mean? 

• EASING (noun)
  The noun EASING has 2 senses:

1. a change for the better

2. the act of reducing something unpleasant (as pain or annoyance)

  Familiarity information: EASING used as a noun is rare.

 Dictionary entry details 

• EASING (noun)

Sense 1

Meaning:

A change for the better

Classified under:

Nouns denoting natural events

Synonyms:

easing; moderation; relief

Hypernyms ("easing" is a kind of...):

alteration; change; modification (an event that occurs when something passes from one state or phase to another)

Hyponyms (each of the following is a kind of "easing"):

disembarrassment (something that extricates you from embarrassment)

breath of fresh air (a welcome relief)

Derivation:

ease (make easier)

Sense 2

Meaning:

The act of reducing something unpleasant (as pain or annoyance)

Classified under:

Nouns denoting acts or actions

Synonyms:

alleviation; easement; easing; relief

Context example:

he asked the nurse for relief from the constant pain

Hypernyms ("easing" is a kind of...):

decrease; diminution; reduction; step-down (the act of decreasing or reducing something)

Hyponyms (each of the following is a kind of "easing"):

spasmolysis (the relaxation or relief of muscle spasms)

detente (the easing of tensions or strained relations (especially between nations))

palliation (easing the severity of a pain or a disease without removing the cause)

liberalisation; liberalization; relaxation (the act of making less strict)

decompressing; decompression (relieving pressure (especially bringing a compressed person gradually back to atmospheric pressure))

Derivation:

ease (lessen pain or discomfort; alleviate)

 Context examples 

I felt an abrupt easing of the schooner, a loss for the moment of all strain and pressure, coupled with a swift acceleration of speed.

(The Sea-Wolf, by Jack London)

What noble spear-runnings have I not seen, and even in an humble way had a part in, when cavaliers would run a course for the easing of their souls and for the love of their ladies!

(The White Company, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)

And before the wind we were, and leaping, when Johnson, easing his sheet at imminent peril, cut across our wake a hundred feet away.

(The Sea-Wolf, by Jack London)

'His conscience hath been heavy within him because he owes you a debt of fourteen deniers, having drunk wine for which he hath never paid. For the easing of his soul, he asked me to pay the money to you as I passed.'

(The White Company, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)