as in to soothe
to free from distress or disturbance
attempting to salve her conscience, she anonymously sent the store a sum of cash sufficient to cover the merchandise she had shoplifted
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Recent Examples of salve
Zoë Lescaze, New York Times, 13 Apr. 2025
In this perilous time for America and Israel, Trump’s uncritical embrace of Netanyahu’s government, his role in freeing hostages from Hamas’ hell, and his response to campus antisemitism may seem like a salve.
—Ben Krull, New York Daily News, 12 Apr. 2025
Katie Bain, Billboard, 27 Sep. 2024
Each of these athletes has their particular struggle, but the idea that achieving the highest sporting honors cannot salve the pressures of elite athletic life is well established.
—Talia Barrington, The Atlantic, 6 Aug. 2024
See All Example Sentences for salve
Verb
In Japan, the plant is sometimes used as a salve for bug bites.
—Zoë Lescaze, New York Times, 13 Apr. 2025
In this perilous time for America and Israel, Trump’s uncritical embrace of Netanyahu’s government, his role in freeing hostages from Hamas’ hell, and his response to campus antisemitism may seem like a salve.
—Ben Krull, New York Daily News, 12 Apr. 2025
Noun
Playing like ear salve for anyone who enjoys camping festivals, bass music and tie-dye (preferably all at the same time), the album melds each producer’s celestially-leaning, world music influenced and thoroughly pummeling styles into a groovy, deep, totally fun 13-track collection.
—Katie Bain, Billboard, 27 Sep. 2024
Each of these athletes has their particular struggle, but the idea that achieving the highest sporting honors cannot salve the pressures of elite athletic life is well established.
—Talia Barrington, The Atlantic, 6 Aug. 2024
See All Example Sentences for salve
Recent Examples of Synonyms for salve
Verb
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Garlic’s many health benefits include immunity support, soothing inflammation, and boosting collagen production.—
Alessandra Signorelli,
Vogue,
1 July 2025
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The writer-director made sure all players honored poker rules and that movies were playing so anyone mad about a poker loss could soothe their financial pain.—
Samantha Rodriguez,
Miami Herald,
30 June 2025
Noun
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This season is all about light-catching balms, pearlescent creams, and tone-matching highlighters that melt into the skin.—
Larry Stansbury,
Essence,
27 June 2025
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Bonus: Pockets to stash your lip balm, passport, or boarding pass mid-transit.—
Rosie Marder,
Travel + Leisure,
24 June 2025
Verb
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Myung-gi tries to calm him down, but a sobbing Player 39 has already made up his mind and throws himself off the edge.—
Jennifer Zhan,
Vulture,
27 June 2025
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An agent with a baseball hat and FBI vest pats his heart and appears to be talking to him and trying to calm him down.—
Brittny Mejia,
Los Angeles Times,
27 June 2025
Noun
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Apart from religiously following skincare regimen, medical beauty devices help enhance the efficacy of serums, lotions, and creams.—
Bianca Salonga,
Forbes.com,
4 July 2025
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As in, liquid blush is topped with powder blush; contour stick is topped with bronzer, and face powder is used both immediately after applying cream products and to finish it all off later.—
Kaitlyn Yarborough,
Southern Living,
4 July 2025
Verb
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Don’t let the last road trip lull you into false hopes.—
Sean Keeler,
Denver Post,
19 June 2025
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Orlando Sentinel Back in Central Florida the chorus of chanting, cheering and car honking never lulled in Casselberry.—
Kairi Lowery,
The Orlando Sentinel,
14 June 2025
Noun
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Your tattoo artist should cover your tattoo with ointment and a clean bandage and give you aftercare instructions to support healing.—
Brendan Camp,
Verywell Health,
28 June 2025
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Some resort to using a combination of topical ointments and creams to try to control the dry skin and itching that characterize the condition.—
New Atlas,
New Atlas,
24 June 2025
Verb
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Natural gas is almost entirely composed of methane, a greenhouse gas that's far more potent than carbon dioxide.—
Camila Domonoske,
NPR,
8 July 2025
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Last December, a task force co-led by Rashid and composed of Pritzker administration officials, educators and other lawmakers compiled a report detailing some of the risks presented by AI.—
Jeremy Gorner,
Chicago Tribune,
7 July 2025
Noun
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Bath & Body Works: Make your shower even more luxurious with sweet-smelling body washes, buttery lotions, and exfoliating scrubs that cost as little as $2.—
Averi Baudler,
People.com,
24 June 2025
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Aesop’s amber bottles are unmistakably ubiquitous, whether for soap, lotion, or mouthwash.—
Adam Hurly,
Robb Report,
24 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“Salve.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/salve. Accessed 12 Jul. 2025.
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