Synonyms of allay

allay

verb

a-ˈlā 

as in to alleviate

to make more bearable or less severe

a gentle breeze would allay the heat

Synonyms & Similar Words

• alleviate
• relieve
• help
• soothe
• mitigate
• ease
• assuage
• soften
• mollify
• heal
• improve
• palliate
• cure
• temper
• enhance
• remedy
• lighten
• moderate
• abate
• rectify
• ameliorate
• correct
• amend
• better
• fix
• repair
• refine
• enrich
• perfect
• reform
• emend
• mend
• meliorate

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• impair
• hurt
• harm
• injure
• exacerbate
• aggravate
• intensify
• heighten
• sharpen

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

Recent Examples of allay

The finding casts fresh doubt on the deal, which was arranged to allay President Trump’s concerns about potential Chinese influence over the Panama Canal. —Andrew Ross Sorkin, New York Times, 8 Apr. 2025

Conclusion With the Fed’s efforts to tame runaway inflation rates, which are helping market sentiment, MGM stock has the potential for gains once fears of a potential recession are allayed. —Trefis Team, Forbes, 15 Jan. 2025

Thailand has been trying to allay worries from Chinese travelers for years — but for a different reason. —Monica Pitrelli, CNBC, 4 Apr. 2025

During an online meeting last week members tried to allay those concerns as the Park Board nears final decisions on the Field Center, which should come Thursday. —Jesse Wright, Chicago Tribune, 28 Jan. 2025