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

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 allay Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba asked Biden to allay concerns in the Japanese and U.S. business communities over the status of Nippon Steel’s planned acquisition of U.S. Steel. —

Alexis Simendinger, The Hill, 13 Jan. 2025 Sandwiching the retinol cream between layers of moisturizer may also help allay irritation. —

Jenny Berg, Vogue, 5 Jan. 2025 Signing the best starter remaining on the free-agent market would allay those concerns and quell some of the criticism surrounding Atlanta's quiet offseason. —

Kristen Waggoner, Newsweek, 22 Jan. 2025 Wary nearby homeowners and local officials said the group hasn’t done enough to allay concerns about traffic, noise and potential pivots to other uses. —

Jaime Moore-Carrillo, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 10 Jan. 2025 See all Example Sentences for allay

Recent Examples of Synonyms for allay

Verb

Compared to warm mist humidifiers, research suggests that cool mist counterparts could also be more effective at alleviating common cold and flu symptoms like sinus and respiratory discomfort.

— Maggie Horton, People.com, 6 Feb. 2025
As of yet, there is not a scientific consensus on whether sulfur is a solution for eczema but anecdotal reports say that the soothing properties help to alleviate severe itching.

— Twiggy Jalloh, Vogue, 6 Feb. 2025