ease up

VERB

compose

Synonyms

STRONGEST

arrange collect contain

STRONG

adjust allay appease assuage becalm check comfort console control cool ease lessen lull mitigate moderate modulate pacify placate quell quiet reconcile regulate rein relax repress resolve restrain settle slacken smother soften solace soothe still suppress temper tranquilize

WEAK

balm hold in let up re-collect simmer down tune down

Antonyms

STRONGEST

disperse scatter

STRONG

aggravate agitate allow annoy confuse disorganize distress disturb excite free hurt incite increase intensify irritate let go liberate move permit provoke release trouble upset vex worry worsen

WEAK

anger arouse destroy disarrange ruin

VERB

let up

Synonyms

WEAK

abate cease decrease die down die out diminish ease ease off ebb fall moderate release relent slacken slow down stop subside wane

Antonyms

WEAK

continue

VERB

remit

Synonyms

STRONGEST

defer

STRONG

abate absolve alleviate amnesty cancel condone decrease delay desist diminish dwindle excuse exonerate forbear forgive halt intermit mitigate moderate modify modulate pardon prorogue reduce relax release repeal reprieve rescind respite shelve sink slack slacken soften stay suspend wane weaken

WEAK

fall away hold off hold up put off

Antonyms

STRONG

accuse advance aggravate allow approve blame carry on censure charge condemn continue develop enlarge expand extend go grow hold incite increase incriminate intensify irritate leave alone magnify permit prolong punish raise rise sentence strengthen worry

WEAK

encourage forge forward keep

VERB

rest

Synonyms

STRONGEST

breathe lean lie down relax sit down stretch out

STRONG

doze dream drowse idle laze loaf loll lounge nap nod recline repose slack slacken slumber snooze spell unbend unlax unwind

WEAK

be at ease be comfortable compose oneself ease off let down let up lie by lie still put feet up refresh oneself slack off take a break take a nap take five take it easy take life easy take ten take time out wind down

Antonyms

STRONG

do energize

WEAK

activate be active carry out move stand walk

VERB

slow

Synonyms

STRONGEST

abate curb curtail decelerate decrease diminish hinder impede lag lessen moderate reduce relax retard slacken stall temper

STRONG

brake check choke detain loiter mire postpone procrastinate qualify quiet reef regulate stunt

WEAK

anchor it back-water bog down cut back cut down ease off embog hit the brakes hold back hold up keep waiting let down flaps lose speed lose steam reduce speed rein in set back wind down

Antonyms

STRONGEST

advance agitate aid allow assist develop encourage enlarge excite expand extend facilitate forward further grow help increase lengthen prolong push raise strengthen

STRONG

accelerate do expedite liberate release

VERB

weaken

Synonyms

STRONGEST

abate decline decrease depress dilute diminish dwindle halt impair lessen lower reduce sap soften undermine wane

STRONG

adulterate crumble cut debase debilitate devitalize droop enervate exhaust fade fail faint flag impoverish invalidate languish limp lose minimize mitigate moderate relapse relax temper thin tire totter tremble vitiate wilt

WEAK

break up give way lose spirit slow down thin out water down

Antonyms

STRONGEST

aid assist compliment develop encourage enlarge expand extend grow help increase praise prolong raise rise strengthen

STRONG

achieve activate aggravate agitate animate clean energize enhance excite free improve incite invigorate purify refresh succeed win

WEAK

build up

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

It seemed likely that the prosecution would ease up in person, recognizing the silliness of it all.

From Slate • May 4, 2026

Switzerland has gone against a broader move by global regulators to ease up on banks to stimulate economic growth.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 22, 2026

The decline in labor force participation did ease up at the end of last year, Nestler notes, but reported that the trend is still uneven, and fragile at this point.

From Barron's • Feb. 11, 2026

Prices ease up for some items while other costs remain under pressure.

From MarketWatch • Jan. 15, 2026

But I got her to ease up as soon as I asked her if that’s what she sounded like when she used to howl like a wolf when she was a kid.

From "The Boy in the Black Suit" by Jason Reynolds

ease up

Example Sentences

Related Words