assuage

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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

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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

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 Markets shake off tariff fears U.S. stocks climbed on Tuesday as investors’ worries were assuaged by Trump’s pause of tariffs on Mexico and Canada. Yeo Boon Ping, CNBC, 5 Feb. 2025 And that seemed to assuage Susan Collins who posed that question there. ABC News, 2 Feb. 2025 That hasn’t assuaged advocates, who’ve accused the council of trying to push out the city’s homeless population. Ethan Varian, The Mercury News, 14 Feb. 2025 Modi has recently sought to assuage the Trump administration's concerns regarding trade issues, moving to cut import India's tariffs on some motorbikes and bourbon whiskey, while also agreeing to receive planes carrying undocumented migrants. Kate Gibson, CBS News, 13 Feb. 2025 See All Example Sentences for assuage
Recent Examples of Synonyms for assuage
Verb
  • But measures that are imposed too quickly or by shaky institutions could lead to outcomes that lack fairness, transparency, and legitimacy and may ultimately deepen, rather than alleviate, social divisions and mistrust in the state.
    PATRICK VINCK, Foreign Affairs, 4 Mar. 2025
  • My skin drinks this stuff up, and has alleviated many of my complexion woes—think: uneven skin tone, loss of firmness, and excess oil production—with consistent use.
    Kiana Murden, Vogue, 4 Mar. 2025
Verb
  • Felix said if there is insufficient money in the TIF to satisfy the $825,000 due the developers over the next 14 years, money can come from neighboring TIF districts — two exist — so there is no risk to the city.
    Steve Sadin, Chicago Tribune, 4 Mar. 2025
  • Both countries have tried to coordinate with the administration to satisfy concerns and put new measures in place, NPR's Jackie Northam says.
    Brittney Melton, NPR, 4 Mar. 2025
Verb
  • Catch up quick: Stripe tender offers are becoming an annual event as the company seeks to appease employees while continuing to delay an IPO.
    Ryan Lawler, Axios, 27 Feb. 2025
  • The days of appeasing regimes that are hostile to the United States, coddling dictators, and sidelining our national security interests are over.
    David Faris, Newsweek, 26 Feb. 2025
Verb
  • The deal would also relieve the need for costly military deployments and open up new investment opportunities for international partners and resource companies.
    Hannah Rae Armstrong, Foreign Affairs, 4 Mar. 2025
  • Just as headache triggers are different for everyone, so are the best methods to relieve them.
    Cathy Nelson, Verywell Health, 3 Mar. 2025
Verb
  • After writhing on the ground for a few minutes, Irving was helped to the free-throw line and channeled his inner Kobe: Chills.
    Stan Son, The Athletic, 5 Mar. 2025
  • Meanwhile, a blend of silk proteins and hibiscus flower extract helps to repair damage by nourishing hair and improving overall moisture retention (and, as a result, an extra dose of shine).
    Arden Fanning Andrews, Vogue, 4 Mar. 2025
Verb
  • But if being on the move soothes her, being in Milan is what excites her creativity.
    Meredith Lepore, Robb Report, 6 Mar. 2025
  • The fragrance is soothing, making the whole experience even better.
    Alanna Martine Kilkeary, Glamour, 3 Mar. 2025
Verb
  • This differentiation aims to mitigate potential disruptions in the energy sector while addressing broader trade concerns.
    David Faris, Newsweek, 27 Feb. 2025
  • By embracing this demographic, organizations can access a flexible, engaged workforce that not only mitigates talent shortages but also enhances team cohesion and strategic decision-making.
    Nell Derick Debevoise, Forbes, 27 Feb. 2025
Verb
  • If there is a way for Germany to quickly ease its debt constraints that would be a positive.
    Mike O'Sullivan, Forbes, 27 Feb. 2025
  • The congestion pricing plan, which launched on Jan. 5, charges passenger vehicles $9 to access Manhattan below 60th Street during peak hours as part of an effort to ease congestion and raise funds for the city's public transit system.
    Meredith Deliso, ABC News, 26 Feb. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Assuage.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/assuage. Accessed 12 Mar. 2025.

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