Thesaurus

palliate

verb

Synonyms and Antonyms of palliate

1 to make (something) seem less bad by offering excuses

don't try to palliate your constant lying by claiming that everybody lies

Synonyms of palliate

deodorize, excuse, explain away, extenuate, gloss (over), gloze (over), whitewash

Words Related to palliate

sugarcoat, varnish

apologize, atone, confess

account (for), explain, justify, rationalize

minimize, play down, soft-pedal

alleviate, ease, 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

Synonyms of palliate

allay, alleviate, assuage, ease, help, mitigate, mollify, relieve, soothe

Words Related to palliate

abate, lighten, moderate, soften, temper

cure, heal, remedy

amend, correct, emend, fix, mend, rectify, reform, repair

ameliorate, better, enhance, enrich, improve, meliorate, perfect, refine

Near Antonyms of palliate

harm, hurt, impair, injure

heighten, intensify, sharpen

Antonyms of palliate

aggravate, exacerbate

Learn More about palliate

See words that rhyme with palliate Dictionary: Definition of palliate Medical Dictionary: Definition of palliate Nglish: Translation of palliate for Spanish speakers

Seen and Heard

What made you want to look up palliate? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).

show comments

WORD OF THE DAY

inexorable

not to be persuaded, moved, or stopped