go easy on

VERB

absolve

Synonyms

STRONGEST

acquit exempt exonerate forgive pardon relieve vindicate

STRONG

bleach clear discharge exculpate excuse free launder liberate loose release sanitize spare spring whitewash

WEAK

blink at let off let off easy let off the hook let up on lifeboat set free wink at wipe it off wipe the slate clean write off

Antonyms

STRONGEST

accuse blame censure charge condemn convict damn punish sentence

STRONG

hold keep limit restrain

WEAK

bind impeach incriminate obligate

VERB

conserve

Synonyms

STRONGEST

hoard maintain preserve safeguard sustain take care of

STRONG

keep nurse scrimp skimp squirrel stash steward support

WEAK

cut back cut down on sock away squirrel away store up use sparingly

Antonyms

STRONGEST

hurt

STRONG

ignore let go neglect release

WEAK

destroy spend squander use waste

VERB

exempt

Synonyms

STRONGEST

excuse exonerate free spare

STRONG

clear discharge dispense except liberate release

WEAK

grant immunity let off let off the hook pass by privilege from wipe the slate write off

Antonyms

STRONGEST

incarcerate

STRONG

hold keep

WEAK

blame

VERB

indulge

Synonyms

STRONGEST

entertain nourish pamper satiate satisfy spoil take care of tickle

STRONG

allow baby cater coddle cosset delight favor foster gratify humor mollycoddle oblige pander pet please regale yield

WEAK

give in give rein to go along spoil rotten

Antonyms

STRONGEST

deprive dissatisfy ignore neglect

STRONG

annoy deny depress disallow disappoint disapprove disturb pain refuse reject upset

WEAK

abstain distress hurt moderate not use

VERB

release

Synonyms

STRONGEST

clear deliver discharge drop free issue leak surrender

STRONG

absolve acquit commute disengage dispense emancipate exculpate excuse exempt exonerate extricate liberate loose loosen manumit spring unbind unchain undo unfasten unleash unloose untie vent yield

WEAK

bail out cast loose give off give out let off let off steam let up on open up set at large set free set loose take out turn loose turn out unfetter unshackle wipe the slate clean

Antonyms

STRONGEST

confine detain hold imprison keep limit restrain retain suppress

STRONG

bind blame charge condemn convict fasten incarcerate incriminate prevent sentence

WEAK

collect gather maintain

VERB

relent

Synonyms

STRONGEST

acquiesce capitulate cave in come around comply ease off give in give up let go quit relax slacken soften subside

STRONG

drop ease ebb fall fold forbear melt moderate slow wane weaken yield

WEAK

be merciful change one's mind cool it cry uncle die away ease up on give quarter give some slack give way go along with have mercy have pity lay back let it happen lighten up mellow out say uncle show mercy

Antonyms

STRONGEST

grow increase worry

STRONG

advance ascend continue free rise

WEAK

build

VERB

spare

Synonyms

STRONGEST

excuse exempt leave pardon refrain from

STRONG

absolve discharge dispense forbear pity release relent spring

WEAK

bail out be lenient be merciful get off the hook get out of hock give a break give quarter to let go let off privilege from pull out of the fire relieve from save bacon save from save neck

VERB

stint

Synonyms

STRONGEST

scrimp

STRONG

begrudge confine define grudge limit penny-pinch pinch restrain save scrape spare squirrel stash withhold

WEAK

be frugal be parsimonious be sparing be stingy cut corners make ends meet roll back save for rainy day skimp on sock away tighten belt

Antonyms

STRONG

free let go release squander waste

WEAK

spend

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.

“The Book of Pizza” warns readers to go easy on the toppings.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 22, 2026

Your $400,000 inheritance can be used to supplement your current income and, if managed judiciously — go easy on the gifts — it could last you into your 80s and beyond.

From MarketWatch • Mar. 12, 2026

He’s so happy to be back, he said, and appreciates that Blanck “doesn’t go easy on you.”

From Los Angeles Times • Dec. 3, 2025

"A tour de force performance cannot mask the fact that the corporation has chosen to go easy on itself in this queasy drama."

From BBC • Oct. 10, 2023

“Just an idea, but if you can explain the science behind the Ketchup Rocket, maybe Espinosa’ll go easy on you.”

From "Popcorn" by Rob Harrell

go easy on

Example Sentences

Related Words