palliative

1 of 2

adjective

pal·​li·​a·​tive ˈpa-lē-ˌā-tiv  ˈpal-yə- 

: serving to palliate

palliative surgery

palliative care

palliative drugs

palliatively adverb

palliative

2 of 2

noun

: something that palliates

Examples of palliative in a Sentence

Noun

The disease has no cure, but a number of palliatives exist.

Travel is like a palliative against depression for him.

symbolic palliatives for inner-city troubles

Recent Examples on the Web

Adjective

More than half of the world’s population live in countries where the availability of any palliative care is defined as either emerging or progressing, according to the World Health Organization. — Emilee Flynn, The Conversation, 3 Nov. 2026

Perinatal palliative care is an important and compassionate option. — Arkansas Online, 3 Oct. 2026

Noun

On top of that, many of these countries don’t have the political infrastructure to provide basic healthcare, much less facilitate developing a comprehensive palliative care program for children. — Emilee Flynn, The Conversation, 3 Nov. 2026

This offers lifelong benefit, not just a short-term palliative. — David Miliband, Time, 19 Oct. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

Adjective

15th century, in the meaning defined above

Noun

1656, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

palliative

1 of 2 adjective

pal·​li·​a·​tive ˈpal-ē-ˌāt-iv  ˈpal-yət- 

: serving to palliate

palliative

2 of 2 noun

: something that palliates

Medical Definition

palliative

1 of 2 adjective

pal·​lia·​tive ˈpal-ē-ˌāt-iv  ˈpal-yət- 

: reducing the severity of a disease or condition without curing it : providing palliative care

palliative treatment

Although valve replacement is an important advance in the treatment of patients with valve disease, it is a palliative rather than a curative procedure.

—Robert A. O'Rourke, The Journal of the American Medical Association

palliatively adverb

palliative

2 of 2 noun

: something that reduces the severity of a disease or condition without curing it