ASSUAGE Synonyms: 147 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

assuage

verb

ə-ˈswāj

Definition of assuage next

as in to alleviate

to make more bearable or less severe a mother cooing to her toddler and assuaging his fear of the dark

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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

as in to appease

to lessen the anger or agitation of nothing would assuage the angry parent except the prompt dismissal of the teacher who had used corporal punishment without authorization

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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 Speaking to The Hill last week, Rep. Pramila Jayapal (D-Wash.), who signed the letter, said the administration has since assuaged some of her concerns on the matter. —

Zack Budryk, The Hill, 13 Dec. 2024 Jimmy and his senior colleague Paul (Harrison Ford)’s push-pull dynamic at work is even assuaged once Paul decides Jimmy’s boundary-rejecting form of therapy is sort of good. —

Roxana Hadadi, Vulture, 24 Dec. 2024 That is almost entirely because Americans are by and large opposed to living anywhere near nuclear waste, and suspicious of governments’ or utilities’ attempts to assuage nuclear fears. —

Ella Nilsen, CNN, 25 Nov. 2024 However, sizable inflows to the ETF can assuage any concerns that investors are forgoing broad index funds deemed safe investments, according to Iachini. —

Alex Harring, CNBC, 25 Dec. 2024 See all Example Sentences for assuage

Recent Examples of Synonyms for assuage

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