Stopped, not having started, relieved (5)
I believe the answer is:
eased
'relieved' is the definition.
(synonyms)
I can't explain the rest of the clue.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for eased that I've seen before include "Made less difficult or trying" , "Abated" , "became less tight" , "Released pressure" , "Oiled" .)