PALLIATE Synonyms: 68 Similar and Opposite Words

palliate

verb

ˈpa-lē-ˌāt

Definition of palliate

as in to excuse

to make (something) seem less bad by offering excuses don't try to palliate your constant lying by claiming that everybody lies

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

as in to alleviate

to make more bearable or less severe this medicine should palliate your cough at least a little

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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 palliate Radiation can also be used to palliate painful bone metastases, as well as chemotherapy. — Lauryn Higgins, Flow Space, 1 Oct. 2024 Senior-home avatars who are designed to palliate dementia patients in their darkest days. — Longreads, 12 Apr. 2024 Long hours of sitting masquerade as wellness, insecurity is palliated by snacks, and flexibility’s just another name for no time of your own. — Curbed, 4 Jan. 2023 Rhys drank heavily to palliate her burdens, and was known for tirades and other skunky behavior. — New York Times, 20 June 2022 The friends are teen-agers, both outcasts of a kind, lonely and looking for ways to palliate their solitude. — The New Yorker, 2 May 2022 Those would likely be limited to economic benefits to palliate the loss of crops and revenues for farmers. — Emilio Morenatti, ajc, 13 Feb. 2022

Recent Examples of Synonyms for palliate

Verb

Following another sharp exchange between the siblings, Ellen excuses herself from dinner.

— Max Gao, HollywoodReporter, 5 Oct. 2026
Calling yourself compassionate doesn't excuse dangerous accusations What, exactly, is hateful about a mother or father wanting their daughter to have a female-only locker room?

— Dan Zaksheske OutKick, FOXNews.com, 29 Sep. 2026

Definition of excuse

Verb

With a physician shortage projected to be 33% by 2033, the Health Technology Bill of 2025 aims to use AI to alleviate the growing demand for physicians.

— Esha Desai, Hartford Courant, 4 Oct. 2026
Authorities are monitoring air quality and hotspots, with the government conducting cloud seeding when conditions permit to alleviate the situation.

— ABC News, ABC News, 30 Sep. 2026

Definition of alleviate

Verb

Regardless, a movie of this size would need a debut near $40 million to justify its budget, per rival execs.

— Rebecca Rubin, Variety, 30 Sep. 2026
Both have used surging trading volumes as a metric to underscore the exchanges’ growing popularity, helping justify those valuations.

— Davis Giangiulio,Ananya Chetia, CNBC, 30 Sep. 2026

Definition of justify

Verb

The belief that heat can benefit the mind and relieve psychic suffering has a long history across human societies.

— Will Stone, NPR, 5 Oct. 2026
According to a photo from the scene, one appeared to have blood on its hind leg; the other appeared relieved to have its friend back.

— Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 4 Oct. 2026

Definition of relieve

Verb

Diesel fuel that is intended for off-road uses such as agriculture is exempt from federal and state excise taxes, and it is dyed for law enforcement purposes, the White House explained in a fact sheet.

— NICHOLAS INGRAM, Arkansas Online, 6 Oct. 2026
Imagination and influence are tied together, Sherald explained.

— Rebecca Schneid, Time, 6 Oct. 2026

Definition of explain

Verb

Bhageria hopes that by starting his search for alternative suppliers now, his company can mitigate potential economic pain down the line.

— Stephanie Yang, CNN Money, 3 Oct. 2026
With four-person staffing, Bolen said, emergency response time and the ability to safely mitigate hazards will be much quicker.

— Harllie Stevenson, Idaho Statesman, 3 Oct. 2026

Definition of mitigate

Verb

British-Nigerian actor Toheeb Jimoh had already adopted the gadget for its anxiety-soothing properties, meanwhile.

— Alex Wynne, Footwear News, 29 Sep. 2026
The rooms at Stockholm’s Stadshotell (formerly a women’s shelter) are exquisite, lovely examples of soothing Scandinavian minimalism.

— Riza Cruz, Vogue, 29 Sep. 2026

Definition of soothe

Browse Nearby Words

pallets

palliate

palliated

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“Palliate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/palliate. Accessed 8 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of palliate

verb

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