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 Perhaps Kennedy’s fondness for fries will allay worries that they’ll be banned this time around. Tom Bartlett, The Atlantic, 1 Sep. 2025 This will be a major worry for the WHSmith board, which will try and allay any investor fears via a further update at its preliminary results announcement scheduled for November 12. Kevin Rozario, Forbes.com, 24 Aug. 2025 Those fears were somewhat allayed by a recent ruling in a separate case, which requires immigration officials to allow Abrego Garcia time to mount a challenge to any deportation order. Travis Loller, Chicago Tribune, 22 Aug. 2025 The tour is Mamdani’s attempt to allay fears about the unabashedly left-wing candidate. Mark Chiusano, Time, 14 Aug. 2025 See All Example Sentences for allay
Recent Examples of Synonyms for allay
Verb
  • The study aims to explore the relationship between menopause and exercise, with the goal of understanding what type(s) and duration of exercise may alleviate the common symptoms of menopause.
    Alexa Mikhail, Flow Space, 6 Oct. 2025
  • Moore adds that these small cleaning tasks might even alleviate the snowball of multiple tasks with a more significant chunk of time.
    Rebecca Jones, Southern Living, 5 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • Cloves are especially high in a polyphenol called eugenol, which has powerful anti-inflammatory and pain-relieving properties.
    Jillian Kubala, Health, 7 Oct. 2025
  • Alex Vesia relieved Treinen and collected the first two outs of the inning, and Sasaki came in for the final out, earning his second career save (both of which occurred in the postseason).
    Gabe Smallson, MSNBC Newsweek, 7 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • Staffing levels to help in emergencies and maintain trash, restrooms, campgrounds and roads are not guaranteed, according to the National Park Service.
    Katie Wiseman, IndyStar, 2 Oct. 2025
  • In other words, the country’s existing industrial and financial ecosystem often helps nascent industries, benefiting both.
    Peter Vanham, Fortune, 2 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • Best Teether Made from 100% food-grade, BPA-free silicone, these teething toys are perfect for infants who are looking for a way to soothe tender gums.
    Pamela Brill, Parents, 2 Oct. 2025
  • Amazon has a reliable quilt that comes in dozens of colors, from a soothing light blue to a bright autumn orange.
    Christopher Murray may earn a commission if you buy through our referral links. This content was created by a team that works independently from the Fox newsroom., FOXNews.com, 2 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • Such an action would require a national moratorium on comparable AI models until the damage is contained and the risk mitigated.
    Jeffrey Sonnenfeld, Fortune, 7 Oct. 2025
  • Homeowners can prepare their homes to mitigate the potential damage of flooding, according to experts.
    Tamia Fowlkes, jsonline.com, 6 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • Organizers said donations will help ease medical and financial burdens for the family during his recovery.
    Natalie Davies, Freep.com, 3 Oct. 2025
  • Criteria have been eased several times since then as the kingdom increasingly sees the need to court foreign capital.
    Matthew Martin, semafor.com, 3 Oct. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Allay.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/allay. Accessed 9 Oct. 2025.

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