Phrase guide

ease up

verb · 5 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 become more relaxed or less demanding.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: informal, intransitive

Examples

  • I suggest that you ease up a bit at work. You're getting stressed out.
  • You should ease up on your son. You're putting too much pressure on him.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

2

verb

Meaning 2

To reduce one's speed.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: informal, intransitive

Examples

  • He came hurtling round the corner, but quickly eased up when he saw Jane standing there.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

3

verb

Meaning 3

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 off, let up

Antonyms: none provided

Broader terms: change, alter, modify

4

verb

Meaning 4

become less intense

Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: ease off, slacken off, flag

Antonyms: none provided

Broader terms: decrease, diminish, lessen, fall

5

verb

Meaning 5

move in order to make room for someone for something

Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0

Examples

  • The park gave way to a supermarket
  • `Move over,' he told the crowd

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: move over, give way, give, yield

Antonyms: none provided

Broader terms: move

History

Etymology

No etymology was provided for this word.

Across languages

Translations

9 source translations are retained for this English entry.

  • Finnish: hellittää — to become more relaxed
  • French: lâcher du lest — to become more relaxed
  • German: entspannen — to become more relaxed
  • German: zurückhalten — to become more relaxed
  • German: nachlassen — to become more relaxed
  • Finnish: hiljentää — to reduce speed
  • Finnish: hellittää — to reduce speed
  • French: lever le pied — to reduce speed
  • German: bremsen — to reduce speed