assuage

Definition of assuagenext
1
2
as in to satisfy
to put a complete end to (a physical need or desire) that huge meal certainly assuaged my hunger

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

3

Synonym Chooser

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

Some common synonyms of assuage are allay, alleviate, lighten, mitigate, and relieve. While all these words mean "to make something less grievous," assuage implies softening or sweetening what is harsh or disagreeable.

ocean breezes assuaged the intense heat

When might allay be a better fit than assuage?

While the synonyms allay and assuage are close in meaning, allay implies an effective calming or soothing of fears or alarms.

allayed their fears

When is it sensible to use alleviate instead of assuage?

Although the words alleviate and assuage have much in common, alleviate implies temporary or partial lessening of pain or distress.

the lotion alleviated the itching

When could lighten be used to replace assuage?

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

good news would lighten our worries

In what contexts can mitigate take the place of assuage?

The meanings of mitigate and assuage largely overlap; however, mitigate suggests a moderating or countering of the effect of something violent or painful.

the need to mitigate barbaric laws

Where would relieve be a reasonable alternative to assuage?

While in some cases nearly identical to assuage, 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 assuage Regardless of the outcome of the lawsuit itself, Epic has opened up a Pandora’s box, forcing the federal health department to consider policy changes to assuage providers’ fears. Brittany Trang, STAT, 23 Mar. 2026 Liaw wrote back trying to assuage his concerns and then continued making inquiries about the GPU orders, the indictment states. Amanda Gerut, Fortune, 22 Mar. 2026 The statements were likely made to assuage industry fears that restrictions could be put in place to combat high energy prices resulting from the war. Rachel Frazin, The Hill, 19 Mar. 2026 Acknowledging growing public anxiety about the integration of AI into different facets of society, Klapper turned to pop culture to assuage fears. James Queally, Los Angeles Times, 18 Mar. 2026 See All Example Sentences for assuage
Recent Examples of Synonyms for assuage
Verb
  • Lack of communication from airlines during disruptions is a major complaint from customers across carriers, and anything companies can do to alleviate that will help with those frustrations.
    Zach Wichter, USA Today, 1 Apr. 2026
  • By this point, experts were warning that half a million people in Gaza were at risk of starvation, and organizations such as the Rabbinical Assembly, an association of Conservative rabbis, were urging immediate action to alleviate civilian suffering.
    Eyal Press, New Yorker, 30 Mar. 2026
Verb
  • That explanation did not satisfy the project’s critics.
    Charlotte Observer, Charlotte Observer, 1 Apr. 2026
  • Keown added that restaurants are offering multiple types of pizza to satisfy a growing range of customer demands.
    James Powel, USA Today, 31 Mar. 2026
Verb
  • Cuba’s president, Miguel Díaz-Canel, publicly acknowledged discussions between the two governments last week and pledged a series of reforms aimed at appeasing Washington, a concession that indicated both the urgency of the domestic crisis and the vulnerability of the regime.
    Sarah Fitzpatrick, The Atlantic, 22 Mar. 2026
  • While the university officials pointed to finances and low student demand, some professors view the move as a part of a broader effort to appease conservative priorities for higher education, even though the private school operates outside state oversight.
    Jessica Ma, Dallas Morning News, 20 Mar. 2026
Verb
  • Many agree that relieving economic distress must be an immediate focus, but while some believe that should entail a gradual, socialist-style liberalization of the economy, others want a total transition to free-market capitalism, including more foreign investment and private enterprise.
    Kate Linthicum, Los Angeles Times, 29 Mar. 2026
  • Sonoma Artistic Director Carl Spence was relieved to get delivery of the film to the festival in time for his opening night.
    Anne Thompson, IndieWire, 29 Mar. 2026
Verb
  • Going to a local bike shop instead of buying online can help, enabling riders to ask questions, take a test ride and learn what’s legal and what isn’t.
    Sarah Raza, Chicago Tribune, 30 Mar. 2026
  • Liba helped create a WhatsApp group that allowed participants to engage in critical dialogue about Israel.
    Eyal Press, New Yorker, 30 Mar. 2026
Verb
  • This Burt’s Bees set has six travel-sized mani-pedi essentials, including a soothing foot cream and buttery hand salve that protects dry, chapped skin.
    Sian Babish, PEOPLE, 1 Apr. 2026
  • Formulated with organic snail secretion filtrate and hyaluronic acid, this serum soothes stressed skin and significantly boosts moisture with fast-acting hydration.
    BestReviews, Chicago Tribune, 30 Mar. 2026
Verb
  • Understanding the gravity of a red flag warning and adhering to these precautions is pivotal in mitigating the risk of wildfires during these perilous conditions.
    KANSAS CITY STAR WEATHER BOT, Kansas City Star, 27 Mar. 2026
  • Stevenson says a balanced portfolio typically includes a mix of equities, bonds, cash, and real assets, and that this mix helps to mitigate potential losses from any single investment.
    Fort Worth Star-Telegram, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 27 Mar. 2026
Verb
  • With no sign of Tehran easing its blockade of the strait, oil prices were back up and stock values fell.
    CBS News, CBS News, 28 Mar. 2026
  • That could ease cost pressures for hardware buyers such as server makers, with Evercore ISI pointing to potential upside for companies including Dell Technologies and Hewlett Packard Enterprise if lower memory requirements improve system economics.
    Yun Li, CNBC, 27 Mar. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Assuage.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/assuage. Accessed 3 Apr. 2026.

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