allay

verb

al·​lay a-ˈlā How to pronounce allay (audio)
ə-
allayed; allaying; allays
Synonyms of allay

transitive verb

1
: to subdue or reduce in intensity or severity : alleviate
expect a breeze to allay the heat
2
: to make quiet : calm
trying to allay their fears

intransitive verb

obsolete : to diminish in strength : subside

Synonyms of allay

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relieve, alleviate, lighten, assuage, mitigate, allay mean to make something less grievous.

relieve implies a lifting of enough of a burden to make it tolerable.

took an aspirin to relieve the pain

alleviate implies temporary or partial lessening of pain or distress.

the lotion alleviated the itching

lighten implies reducing a burdensome or depressing weight.

good news would lighten our worries

assuage implies softening or sweetening what is harsh or disagreeable.

ocean breezes assuaged the intense heat

mitigate suggests a moderating or countering of the effect of something violent or painful.

the need to mitigate barbaric laws

allay implies an effective calming or soothing of fears or alarms.

allayed their fears

Examples of allay in a Sentence

The new advertising campaign is an attempt to allay the public's concerns about the safety of the company's products. a gentle breeze would allay the heat
Recent Examples on the Web
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.
Bleyl measured at nearly 6 feet, which will allay any height concerns and stabilize his draft stock as a late first-rounder. — Thomas Drance, New York Times, 6 June 2026 That helped allay worries a bit that its stock had grown too expensive after coming into the day with a surge of 267% so far this year. — ABC News, 26 June 2026 That helped allay worries a bit that its stock had grown too expensive after coming into the day with a surge of 267% so far this year. — Stan Choe, Los Angeles Times, 25 June 2026 Said tried to allay the security forces’ concerns about Sarava by pursuing deals with regime moneymakers. — Bozorgmehr Sharafedin, The Atlantic, 1 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for allay

Word History

Etymology

Middle English alayen, from Old English ālecgan, from ā- (perfective prefix) + lecgan to lay — more at abide, lay

First Known Use

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 2

Time Traveler
The first known use of allay was before the 12th century

Rhymes for allay

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Browse Nearby Words

alla turca
allay
allayment
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Allay.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/allay. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.

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Kids Definition

allay

verb
al·​lay a-ˈlā How to pronounce allay (audio)
ə-
allayed; allaying
1
: to make less severe : relieve
allay pain
2
: to make quiet : calm
allay fears

More from Merriam-Webster on allay

Nglish: Translation of allay for Spanish Speakers

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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