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

State lawmakers passed legislation this summer to require school principals to excuse student absences related to private, off-campus religious instruction programs.

— Rebecca Noel, Charlotte Observer, 24 Aug. 2026
The abuse of women and girls has long been ignored, excused, protected and even turned into profit.

— Jodi Bondi Norgaard, Chicago Tribune, 24 Aug. 2026

Definition of excuse

Verb

Jaissle is looking to bring in an experienced midfielder to succeed Guimaraes, with Manchester City’s Nico Gonzalez a clear target, which should alleviate some of the expectation on Steur.

— Chris Waugh, New York Times, 20 Aug. 2026
Arriaga came to Hemphill’s practice for a routine procedure to alleviate a tongue tie.

— Lillie Davidson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 20 Aug. 2026

Definition of alleviate

Verb

The government may not decide that Church teaching is insufficiently religious, insufficiently consistent with Catholic doctrine, or insufficiently compelling to justify an ecclesiastical policy.

— Beth Mole, ArsTechnica, 26 Aug. 2026
Organizers of Tuesday's rally said the women were released from ICE detention after a judge granted their habeas corpus petitions, meaning the government was required to justify their continued detention.

— Drew Aunkst, CBS News, 26 Aug. 2026

Definition of justify

Verb

Lanterns wastes little time explaining this backstory ad nauseam and instead creates an immediately inviting dynamic between him and Hal, who comes to him demanding information on Manhunters.

— Siddhant Adlakha, Vulture, 24 Aug. 2026
Cieloween explained that the moves shown by participants vary widely.

— Mitchell McCluskey, CNN Money, 24 Aug. 2026

Definition of explain

Verb

Though the threat of an explosion was mitigated in early June, cleanup didn't begin until the very end of the month.

— Dean Fioresi, CBS News, 25 Aug. 2026
Under current law, the President has the flexibility to order a limited drawdown, releasing up to 30 million barrels over a 60-day period, to mitigate sudden supply shocks without declaring a full-scale national emergency.

— Siddharth Misra, Fortune, 25 Aug. 2026

Definition of mitigate

Verb

These natural waters flow from the earth, carrying muscle-soothing minerals; soaking in them is the best way to end a day spent exploring the destination, which is a true hub for outdoor adventure.

— Evie Carrick, Travel + Leisure, 20 Aug. 2026
Back in South Korea, the skin-care brand has already made a name for itself with its soothing mung bean formulas, which have racked up awards from major K-beauty platforms like Hwahae and, of course, Olive Young.

— Christa Joanna Lee, Allure, 20 Aug. 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 28 Aug. 2026.

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Synonyms of palliate

verb

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