ALLAY Synonyms: 42 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How is the word 'allay' different from other verbs like it?

Some common synonyms of allay are alleviate , assuage , lighten , mitigate , and relieve . While all these words mean "to make something less grievous," allay implies an effective calming or soothing of fears or alarms. // allayed their fears

Q: When is it sensible to use 'alleviate' instead of 'allay'?

The synonyms alleviate and allay are sometimes interchangeable, but alleviate implies temporary or partial lessening of pain or distress. // the lotion alleviated the itching

Q: Where would 'assuage' be a reasonable alternative to 'allay'?

Although the words assuage and allay have much in common, assuage implies softening or sweetening what is harsh or disagreeable. // ocean breezes assuaged the intense heat

Q: When is 'lighten' a more appropriate choice than 'allay'?

In some situations, the words lighten and allay are roughly equivalent. However, lighten implies reducing a burdensome or depressing weight. // good news would lighten our worries

Q: When could 'mitigate' be used to replace 'allay'?

While in some cases nearly identical to allay , mitigate suggests a moderating or countering of the effect of something violent or painful. // the need to mitigate barbaric laws

Q: When would 'relieve' be a good substitute for 'allay'?

The words relieve and allay are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, relieve implies a lifting of enough of a burden to make it tolerable. // took an aspirin to relieve the pain

allay

verb

a-ˈlā

Definition of allay next

as in to alleviate

to make more bearable or less severe a gentle breeze would allay the heat

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How is the word allay different from other verbs like it?

Some common synonyms of allay are alleviate, assuage, lighten, mitigate, and relieve. While all these words mean "to make something less grievous," allay implies an effective calming or soothing of fears or alarms.

allayed their fears

When is it sensible to use alleviate instead of allay?

The synonyms alleviate and allay are sometimes interchangeable, but alleviate implies temporary or partial lessening of pain or distress.

the lotion alleviated the itching

Where would assuage be a reasonable alternative to allay?

Although the words assuage and allay have much in common, assuage implies softening or sweetening what is harsh or disagreeable.

ocean breezes assuaged the intense heat

When is lighten a more appropriate choice than allay?

In some situations, the words lighten and allay are roughly equivalent. However, lighten implies reducing a burdensome or depressing weight.

good news would lighten our worries

When could mitigate be used to replace allay?

While in some cases nearly identical to allay, mitigate suggests a moderating or countering of the effect of something violent or painful.

the need to mitigate barbaric laws

When would relieve be a good substitute for allay?

The words relieve and allay are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, relieve implies a lifting of enough of a burden to make it tolerable.

took an aspirin to relieve the pain

Examples 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 allay To be sure, Trump's policies are anticipated to rule the day within his own administration for the next four years, but Kennedy's tour on Capitol Hill could look to allay some concerns voiced by Republicans, including outgoing Senate GOP Leader Mitch McConnell. —

Tal Axelrod, ABC News, 16 Dec. 2024 Biden allowed Nippon Steel this year to resubmit its filing with a government panel that reviews foreign investments for national security risks, giving it more time to allay bipartisan concerns. —

Arata Yamamoto, NBC News, 3 Dec. 2024 In court earlier this month, her lawyers also argued that county election officials could certify results without including ballots that appear to have problems, allaying concerns of a board member who might otherwise vote not to certify. —

Kate Brumback, Los Angeles Times, 15 Oct. 2024 To allay concerns about maintaining competition after the merger, Kroger has agreed to sell 579 stores for $2.9 billion to C&S Wholesale upon completing the Albertsons deal. —

Alexander Coolidge, The Enquirer, 1 Oct. 2024 See all Example Sentences for allay

Recent Examples of Synonyms for allay

Verb

Living underground for extended periods of time requires mental clarity, and these wellness amenities will help alleviate anxiety so that residents can stay physically and mentally strong.

Jim Dobson, Forbes, 13 Jan. 2025
China has cut policy rates, loosened property purchase restrictions, injected liquidity into the financial market as well as unveiled a debt-swap program to alleviate local governments’ fiscal strains.

Anniek Bao, CNBC, 13 Jan. 2025