Palliate
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.
Often appears as...
- palliate symptoms
- palliate pain
Usage tips
Formal
Technical
verb
To make a bad situation seem less serious by removing some of the negative effects.
The government's attempts to palliate the effects of rising inflation have been unsuccessful.
Often appears as...
- palliate effects
- palliate situation
Usage tips
Formal
verb
To make (an offense or crime) seem less serious by offering excuses.
You can't palliate your reckless driving by blaming it on the weather.
Often appears as...
- palliate offense
- palliate crime
Usage tips
Formal
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.
Often appears as...
- palliate symptoms
- palliate pain
Usage tips
Formal
Technical
verb
To make a bad situation seem less serious by removing some of the negative effects.
The government's attempts to palliate the effects of rising inflation have been unsuccessful.
Often appears as...
- palliate effects
- palliate situation
Usage tips
Formal
verb
To make (an offense or crime) seem less serious by offering excuses.
You can't palliate your reckless driving by blaming it on the weather.
Often appears as...
- palliate offense
- palliate crime
Usage tips
Formal
Definition 1 of 3
Pro Tip 1/3Not a cure
Remember 'palliate' emphasizes relief, not a complete solution to a medical issue.
The hospice care team used therapy to palliate his symptoms, but there was no cure.
Pro Tip 2/3Emotional relief
'Palliate' is also used metaphorically to suggest making emotional distress less painful.
She tried to palliate her friend's grief with gentle words.
Pro Tip 3/3Temporary relief
Understand 'palliate' often implies a temporary reduction of symptoms.
The ice pack palliated the swelling for a few hours.
Pro Tip 1/3Not a cure
Remember 'palliate' emphasizes relief, not a complete solution to a medical issue.
The hospice care team used therapy to palliate his symptoms, but there was no cure.
Pro Tip 2/3Emotional relief
'Palliate' is also used metaphorically to suggest making emotional distress less painful.
She tried to palliate her friend's grief with gentle words.
Pro Tip 3/3Temporary relief
Understand 'palliate' often implies a temporary reduction of symptoms.
The ice pack palliated the swelling for a few hours.
Pro Tip 1/3Not a cure
Remember 'palliate' emphasizes relief, not a complete solution to a medical issue.
The hospice care team used therapy to palliate his symptoms, but there was no cure.
Pro Tip 2/3Emotional relief
'Palliate' is also used metaphorically to suggest making emotional distress less painful.
She tried to palliate her friend's grief with gentle words.
Pro Tip 3/3Temporary relief
Understand 'palliate' often implies a temporary reduction of symptoms.
The ice pack palliated the swelling for a few hours.
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