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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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 Victory in the Austin sprint race allayed some of Verstappen’s fears. —

Luke Smith, The Athletic, 24 Nov. 2024 At a news conference, Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum sought to allay jitters. —

Laura King, Los Angeles Times, 6 Nov. 2024 The ability for developers wary of AI — no matter their age or stage of experience — to practice and grow their skills on local systems will help build confidence and allay concerns. —

Gary Drenik, Forbes, 8 Oct. 2024 Jimmy Butler, meanwhile, has posted enough social-media workout video to seemingly allay concern about the knee issue that kept him out of the playoffs. —

Ira Winderman, Sun Sentinel, 16 Sep. 2024 See all Example Sentences for allay

Recent Examples of Synonyms for allay

Verb

Between holiday gifting, Black Friday, and the dopamine hit that is simply buying something just to alleviate the pre-wintertime blues, rounding up the best new beauty products of the last few weeks is fitting.

Kiana Murden, Vogue, 16 Dec. 2024
How can people alleviate winter air pollution? Residents can take action to reduce air pollution during inversions and dry, stagnant weather conditions.

Hayleigh Evans, The Arizona Republic, 16 Dec. 2024