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al·lay

allay

 
 
pronunciation:
leI
features:
Word Combinations (verb)
part of speech: transitive verb
inflections: allays, allaying, allayed
definition 1: to quiet or lay to rest (fears, doubts, and the like).
Their son's message allayed their fears that he'd been injured.Hearing the actress read from the script allayed the director's doubts that she was right for the part.
synonyms:
alleviate, calm, hush, lull, mollify, pacify, quell, quiet, relax, smooth over, soothe, still, tranquilize
antonyms:
arouse, intensify, provoke
similar words:
analysis, appease, compose, silence, simmer down, soften
definition 2: to relieve or mitigate.
As the house burned, the sight of everyone safe outside allayed their distress at losing their home.
synonyms:
appease, assuage, blunt, ease, lull, mitigate, mollify, palliate, placate, quiet, relax, relieve, soothe, temper
antonyms:
aggravate, exacerbate, intensify, worsen
similar words:
adjust, alleviate, diminish, lessen, lighten, reduce
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derivation: allayer (n.)