palliate

palliate

verb

Definition of PALLIATE

1

to make (something) seem less bad by offering excuses <don't try to palliate your constant lying by claiming that everybody lies>

Synonyms deodorize, excuse, explain away, extenuate, gloss (over), gloze (over), whitewash

Related Words sugarcoat, varnish; apologize, atone, confess; account (for), explain, justify, rationalize; minimize, play down, soft-pedal; alleviate, ease, lessen, lighten, mitigate, moderate, soften, temper; absolve, acquit, clear, exculpate, exonerate, vindicate

2

to make more bearable or less severe <this medicine should palliate your cough at least a little>

Synonyms allay, alleviate, assuage, ease, mitigate, mollify, palliate, relieve, soothe

Related Words abate, lighten, moderate, soften, temper; cure, heal, remedy; amend, correct, emend, fix, mend, rectify, reform, repair; ameliorate, better, enhance, enrich, improve, meliorate, perfect, refine

Near Antonyms harm, hurt, impair, injure; heighten, intensify, sharpen

Antonyms aggravate, exacerbate