What does the word alleviate mean?

The word "alleviate" means to make something less severe or more bearable, which aligns perfectly with the choice that means to ease. When something is alleviated, it typically refers to relief from pain, discomfort, or difficult situations. For example, taking medication can alleviate a headache, suggesting that the medication reduces the intensity of the pain.

In contrast, the other options denote an increase or worsening of a situation, which does not match the meaning of "alleviate." Intensify would imply making something stronger or more extreme, while complicate suggests adding difficulty or making a situation more intricate. Exacerbate means to make a problem worse, directly opposing the idea of alleviation. Thus, the choice that means to ease is the correct interpretation of "alleviate."