Her political activism throws the apathy of others into sharp 'relief'. [=makes the apathy of others very noticeable]
His character provides a little 'comic relief' in what is otherwise a very serious and dramatic movie.
Just one day of sunshine would be a welcome 'relief' from the rainy weather we've been having lately.
(..) Cancel the food scraps for orphans. No more merciful beheadings. And call off Christmas! The treasury is empty. Day and night people plague my door... ...whining for tax relief and safe passage through Sherwood Forest. "We can't pay what the highwayman's taken." It's the shortest route to London! (..)1991 Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves