Phrase guide

ease off

verb · 3 senses · updated from the 2026-07-25 local source snapshot

Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.

Sound

Pronunciation

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No pronunciation record was provided for this word.

1

verb

Meaning 1

to reduce pressure; to become less serious

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: ambitransitive

Examples

  • You should ease off him a while, or he might get upset.
  • If you take this medicine, the pain should ease off after a few hours.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

2

verb

Meaning 2

reduce pressure or intensity

Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0

Examples

  • he eased off the gas pedal and the car slowed down

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: ease up, let up

Antonyms: none provided

Broader terms: change, alter, modify

3

verb

Meaning 3

become less intense

Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: ease up, slacken off, flag

Antonyms: none provided

Broader terms: decrease, diminish, lessen, fall

History

Etymology

No etymology was provided for this word.

Across languages

Translations

5 source translations are retained for this English entry.

  • Polish: ustępować — to reduce pressure
  • Polish: ustąpić — to reduce pressure
  • Polish: zmniejszać się — to reduce pressure
  • Polish: zmniejszyć się — to reduce pressure
  • Polish: zelżeć — to reduce pressure