allay

/əˈleɪ/

Other forms: allayed; allaying; allays

The verb allay is used when you want to make something better or eliminate fears and concerns.

When you allay something, you are calming it or reducing difficulties. It is used commonly in the context of to allay concerns and to comfort and some of its many synonyms are alleviate, decrease, mitigate, assuage and mollify. Allay comes from the Old English word alecgan, which means "to put down," as in literally "to lighten." So, if you can allay someone's fears, you are lightening their mood!

Definitions of allay

1. verb

   lessen the intensity of or calm
   synonyms: ease, relieve, still

   types:

   abreact

   discharge bad feelings or tension through verbalization

   type of:

   comfort, console, solace, soothe

   give moral or emotional strength to
2. verb

   satisfy (thirst)
   synonyms: assuage, quench, slake

   type of:

   fill, fulfil, fulfill, meet, satisfy

   fill or meet a want or need