assuage

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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

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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

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 assuage That way your curiosity will be assuaged, and Leia won’t feel invaded. Jeanne Phillips, The Mercury News, 25 Oct. 2024 Is repatriation just another way to assuage white European guilt and the sins of colonialism? Alex Greenberger, ARTnews.com, 24 Oct. 2024 Still, true to character, Americans are divided on who is the best candidate to assuage their concerns. Chloe Berger, Fortune, 24 Oct. 2024 With a snap of its fingers, the producer price index assuaged worries over inflation remaining stubborn. Yeo Boon Ping, CNBC, 14 Oct. 2024 See all Example Sentences for assuage 
Recent Examples of Synonyms for assuage
Verb
  • Research shows that yoga, for example, can help alleviate some of the tough emotions that come with PMS.
    Julia Ries, SELF, 4 Nov. 2024
  • Its softer side is heavy on body contouring to help alleviate pressure buildup along the shoulders and hips for side sleepers.
    Ashley Zlatopolsky, Architectural Digest, 31 Oct. 2024
Verb
  • In essence, the Fed has satisfied its dual mandate of keeping inflation and unemployment low.
    Rob Wile, NBC News, 7 Nov. 2024
  • Get The Recipe 16 of 25 Classic Pumpkin Pie Made with refrigerated pie dough, this richly spiced pie will satisfy the Thanksgiving purists.
    Lisa Cericola, Southern Living, 5 Nov. 2024
Verb
  • But no further arrests have been made, and more threats have come in despite authorities stepping up security measures, threatening legal punishments, appeasing airlines and reassuring panicked passengers.
    Jessie Yeung, CNN, 25 Oct. 2024
  • Trump has more recently waffled on his view, trying to strike a balance between appeasing traditional GOP voter bases while also appealing to undecided voters who could determine the November election.
    Rebecca Picciotto, CNBC, 6 Oct. 2024
Verb
  • Instead of waiting at home to fully recover, Master said, students should return to school with extra support from teachers and breaks in their schedule to relieve symptoms such as headaches or fatigue, with a goal of gradually doing more.
    Tribune News Service, The Mercury News, 9 Nov. 2024
  • Its star ingredient is lanolin, an oil from sheep’s wool that’s often used in skin care products to moisturize and relieve itchiness.
    Jessica Kasparian, SELF, 4 Nov. 2024
Verb
  • Golden State playing fast — much faster than Philadelphia — helps, too.
    Danny Emerman, The Mercury News, 10 Nov. 2024
  • Seeing Murray use hot packs to keep the knees and ankles warm at halftime helped inspire Braun to use them.
    Bennett Durando, The Denver Post, 10 Nov. 2024
Verb
  • Instead, try to soothe yourself back to sleep by visualizing something calming, like leaves floating down a stream or bubbles blowing through the air on a summer day.
    Angela Haupt, TIME, 5 Nov. 2024
  • Lower temperature and more hat-wearing can lead to a flaky scalp, but these dandruff shampoos can help soothe your skin.
    Elizabeth Robinson, NBC News, 1 Nov. 2024
Verb
  • Investments in health and education can mitigate the impact of population aging.
    Vegard Skirbekk, Foreign Affairs, 6 Nov. 2024
  • Proactively address concerns and, if warranted, include them in the process of mitigating the issues.
    Cory McNeley, Forbes, 5 Nov. 2024
Verb
  • Exercise will ease stress and encourage you to kick back, evaluate and conclude what’s best for you.
    Eugenia Last, The Mercury News, 16 Nov. 2024
  • Getting outside and going on a walk or run is certainly one way to get some fresh air and ease your mind.
    Carolyn Burt, Orange County Register, 11 Nov. 2024

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Cite this Entry

“Assuage.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/assuage. Accessed 21 Nov. 2024.

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