Vocabulary in context
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Palliate
To lessen the severity of symptoms or pain, especially without curing the underlying condition; to gloss over or disguise the seriousness of something.
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Imagine This
Pally's belly is aching, so she goes to the doctor. The doctor said it is only a stomachache, take this medicine twice a day and it will ease the pain.
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Sounds Like
PAL-lee-ate
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Looks Like
Looks like 'pall' + 'iate' (the word visually resembles 'pall' plus the suffix -iate).
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Remember This
From Latin palliare meaning to cloak or cover; palliation is relief of symptoms without cure. Often used in medical or rhetorical contexts.
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Other Forms
palliatesverb
palliateverb
palliatedverb
palliatingverb
palliationnoun
palliativeadjective
palliativelyadverb
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Note
Palliate does not mean to eliminate the problem or to cure it. It means to relieve symptoms or to make something seem less serious without addressing the underlying cause.
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Study Deeper
Examples
- The medication palliates the patient's pain without curing the underlying condition.
- Officials sought to palliate public concern with cosmetic reforms.
Synonyms
alleviaterelievemitigateeaseassuage
Antonyms
exacerbateaggravate
Etymology
From Latin palliare 'to cloak, cover', from pallium 'cloak'; figuratively, to cover up the severity of a condition rather than cure it.
Mnemonic
Palliate = pall + iate: picture a cloak (pall) being laid over pain to cloak its severity.
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Resilient
adjectiveAble to withstand or recover quickly from difficult conditions; showing toughness and adaptability.
Consensus
nounGeneral agreement or the feeling that most members of a group share the same view.
Venerable
adjectiveDeserving of deep respect or reverence, typically because of age, wisdom, or character.
Similar Words
Related words and words with the same part of speech.
Mitigate
verbTo make something less severe, harmful, or harsh; to alleviate or reduce the impact of an adverse condition.
Assuage
verbTo make something less severe or painful; to relieve or ease (emotions, pain, hunger, or discomfort).
Abandon
verbTo give up completely, to desert or leave behind, or to relinquish a claim, plan, or responsibility.
Abate
verbTo decrease in amount or intensity; to reduce or end something.
Abolish
verbTo formally end or repeal a system, practice, or institution; to officially put an end to something established.
Abridge
verbTo shorten (a text, speech, or other work) by omitting parts; to condense.
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