allay

verb

al·​lay a-ˈlā 

ə-

allayed; allaying; allays

transitive verb

1

: to subdue or reduce in intensity or severity : alleviate

expect a breeze to allay the heat

2

: to make quiet : calm

trying to allay their fears

intransitive verb

obsolete : to diminish in strength : subside

Synonyms

• alleviate
• assuage
• ease
• help
• mitigate
• mollify
• palliate
• relieve
• soothe

Choose the Right Synonym for allay

relieve, alleviate, lighten, assuage, mitigate, allay mean to make something less grievous.

relieve implies a lifting of enough of a burden to make it tolerable.

took an aspirin to relieve the pain

alleviate implies temporary or partial lessening of pain or distress.

the lotion alleviated the itching

lighten implies reducing a burdensome or depressing weight.

good news would lighten our worries

assuage implies softening or sweetening what is harsh or disagreeable.

ocean breezes assuaged the intense heat

mitigate suggests a moderating or countering of the effect of something violent or painful.

the need to mitigate barbaric laws

allay implies an effective calming or soothing of fears or alarms.

allayed their fears

Examples of allay in a Sentence

The new advertising campaign is an attempt to allay the public's concerns about the safety of the company's products.

a gentle breeze would allay the heat

Recent Examples on the Web

Jack O’Brien, the show’s director, tried to allay her concerns by framing the production as a public stress reliever. —Charles McNulty, Los Angeles Times, 4 Nov. 2024

Others warn — with plenty of caveats — that prices in 2025 could climb 65 cents, while Air Resources Board officials have tried to allay fears by saying that historically the program assigning carbon intensity standards accounts for just 8 to 10 cents of what consumers pay per gallon. —Rob Nikolewski, The Mercury News, 4 Nov. 2024

These are fears that only the company can allay, and this can be done with a culture that prioritizes mental well-being and encourages people to take their leave. —Rick Hammell, Forbes, 17 Oct. 2024

The August jobs report, due out Friday, is shaping up as among the most significant in years, with the outcome likely to either allay, or stoke recession fears following feeble payroll gains the prior month. —Paul Davidson, USA TODAY, 5 Sep. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Middle English alayen, from Old English ālecgan, from ā- (perfective prefix) + lecgan to lay — more at abide, lay

First Known Use

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 2

Kids Definition

allay

verb

al·​lay a-ˈlā 

ə-

allayed; allaying

1

: to make less severe : relieve

allay pain

2

: to make quiet : calm

allay fears