Entry Word: palliate

Function: verb

Meaning: 1 to make (something) seem less bad by offering excuses <donʼt try to palliate your constant lying by claiming that everybody lies>

Synonyms excuse, extenuate, gloss (over), gloze (over), whitewash

Related Words sugarcoat, varnish; apologize, atone, confess; explain, justify, rationalize; alleviate, 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> — see help 2