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

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 Sarandos also tried to assuage concerns about the deal’s potential effect on theatrical distribution. —

Samantha Masunaga, Los Angeles Times, 3 Feb. 2026 Tom Collins, president of Luke Oil, gave a lengthy presentation Monday to assuage concerns. —

Shelley Jones, Chicago Tribune, 1 Feb. 2026 Gun rights groups were among those outraged over comments from FBI Director Kash Patel and others blaming Pretti for bringing a handgun to protests, despite having a legal permit to carry, although some were assuaged by White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt’s Monday briefing. —

Mabinty Quarshie, The Washington Examiner, 27 Jan. 2026 During recent 11th-hour scrambles on the House floor, GOP leaders have had to assuage the concerns of protesting lawmakers, both centrists and hardliners, in order to move bills. —

Zachary Schermele, USA Today, 19 Jan. 2026 See All Example Sentences for assuage

Recent Examples of Synonyms for assuage

Verb

Duren shoved Diabate’s face, and despite people on both sides trying to alleviate the tension, the usually mild-mannered Diabate kept trying to find Duren again.

— Scott Thompson, FOXNews.com, 10 Feb. 2026
Oil prices dipped on Tuesday on signs that talks between the US and Iran are alleviating the risk of supply disruptions through the Strait of Hormuz, even as the US continues to ramp up pressure on Russia’s oil exports.

— Tim McDonnell, semafor.com, 10 Feb. 2026