allay

Synonym Chooser

How is the word allay different from other verbs like it?

Some common synonyms of allay are alleviate, assuage, lighten, mitigate, and relieve. While all these words mean "to make something less grievous," allay implies an effective calming or soothing of fears or alarms.

allayed their fears

When is it sensible to use alleviate instead of allay?

The synonyms alleviate and allay are sometimes interchangeable, but alleviate implies temporary or partial lessening of pain or distress.

the lotion alleviated the itching

Where would assuage be a reasonable alternative to allay?

Although the words assuage and allay have much in common, assuage implies softening or sweetening what is harsh or disagreeable.

ocean breezes assuaged the intense heat

When is lighten a more appropriate choice than allay?

In some situations, the words lighten and allay are roughly equivalent. However, lighten implies reducing a burdensome or depressing weight.

good news would lighten our worries

When could mitigate be used to replace allay?

While in some cases nearly identical to allay, mitigate suggests a moderating or countering of the effect of something violent or painful.

the need to mitigate barbaric laws

When would relieve be a good substitute for allay?

The words relieve and allay are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, relieve implies a lifting of enough of a burden to make it tolerable.

took an aspirin to relieve the pain

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of allay Last Friday, James Bergeron, the acting under secretary at the Education Department, sent a letter to colleges attempting to allay their worries about the layoffs. Zachary Schermele, USA TODAY, 21 Mar. 2025 Remind him that the easiest way to allay your concerns is to show you his home. Harriette Cole, Mercury News, 9 May 2025 As enterprises—especially those in the consumer products space—seek out ways to allay rising operational costs, product promotions can drive up customer sales over a few weeks or months. Igor Rikalo, Forbes.com, 7 May 2025 The weak pretext is that the show must go on to allay the suspicions of Min’s conservative, conveniently offscreen grandfather. Justin Chang, New Yorker, 19 Apr. 2025 See All Example Sentences for allay
Recent Examples of Synonyms for allay
Verb
  • Wirtz could fit brilliantly into that mould, alleviating the need to sign a top striker, a notoriously difficult market.
    David Ornstein, New York Times, 20 June 2025
  • Managers often fall into this trap by micromanaging to alleviate their own anxiety, but this erodes trust.
    Brittney Van Matre, Forbes.com, 20 June 2025
Verb
  • Proponents of the bill argued those with a terminal diagnosis must be given a choice at the end of their lives to relieve their suffering.
    Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 21 June 2025
  • At the same time, physical therapy can be immensely helpful for both relieving pain—for instance, via massage techniques—and addressing the muscle tightness or imbalance in the legs that may have contributed to the issue in the first place.
    Erica Sloan, SELF, 20 June 2025
Verb
  • Bird believes that incoming expansion will help remedy the issue.
    Eric Jackson, Sportico.com, 20 June 2025
  • And some newer conversion kits act something like a treadmill mounted to your bike, using rollers to help propel your wheel forward.
    Michael Venutolo-Mantovani, Wired News, 20 June 2025
Verb
  • But for some people prolonged rest can seriously put their spine through the wringer, causing a painful stiffness that only movement can soothe.
    Katie Camero, SELF, 20 June 2025
  • Great as a hostess or housewarming gift, the soap works even better when taking the form of a self-care purchase that will soothe your skin with shea butter.
    Stacia Datskovska, Footwear News, 20 June 2025
Verb
  • Travelers are mitigating these risks by purchasing travel insurance, booking flexible tickets, and researching destinations.
    Christopher Elliott, USA Today, 27 June 2025
  • The company mitigates unforeseen delays by keeping its customers consistently in the loop.
    Victoria Gomelsky, Robb Report, 27 June 2025
Verb
  • In recent weeks, Trump has rolled back some of his steepest levies, easing costs imposed upon companies and alleviating concern about a sharp surge of inflation.
    Max Zahn, ABC News, 27 June 2025
  • Ultimately, mastering this approach not only enhances your sales performance but positions your company among the industry's top-tier, significantly easing future recruitment and fueling sustainable growth.
    Ryan Hohman, Forbes.com, 27 June 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Allay.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/allay. Accessed 30 Jun. 2025.

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