Palliate

usgb/ˈpælieɪt/
verb

To make a disease or its symptoms less severe without curing it completely.

The doctor gave her medication to palliate her severe chest pain.
Visual representation of "palliate" - To make a disease or its symptoms less severe without curing it completely.

Often appears as...

  • palliate symptoms
  • palliate pain

Usage tips

Formal

Technical

Definition 1 of 3
Visual representation of "palliate"
LampPro Tip 1/3

Not a cure

Remember 'palliate' emphasizes relief, not a complete solution to a medical issue.

Illustration for Not a cure
The hospice care team used therapy to palliate his symptoms, but there was no cure.
LampPro Tip 2/3

Emotional relief

'Palliate' is also used metaphorically to suggest making emotional distress less painful.

Illustration for Emotional relief
She tried to palliate her friend's grief with gentle words.
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Temporary relief

Understand 'palliate' often implies a temporary reduction of symptoms.

Illustration for Temporary relief
The ice pack palliated the swelling for a few hours.
Visual representation of the word "Palliate"

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