salve

1 of 4

noun (1)

ˈsav How to pronounce salve (audio) ˈsäv How to pronounce salve (audio) ˈsalv How to pronounce salve (audio) ˈsälv How to pronounce salve (audio)
Synonyms of salve
1
: an unctuous adhesive substance for application to wounds or sores
2
: a remedial or soothing influence or agency
a salve to their hurt feelings

salve

2 of 4

verb (1)

salved; salving

transitive verb

1
: to remedy (something, such as disease) with or as if with a salve
2
: quiet, assuage
… give him a raise in salary to salve his feelings.—Upton Sinclair

salve

3 of 4

verb (2)

ˈsalv How to pronounce salve (audio)
salved; salving

transitive verb

: salvage
salvor
ˈsal-vər How to pronounce salve (audio)
-ˌvȯr
noun

salvor

4 of 4

noun (2)

sal·​vor ˈsalvər How to pronounce salvor (audio)
-ˌvȯ(ə)r
plural -s
: one that engages in salvage : salvager
the salvor in offshore work has no time for hesitation … as to the salvage method necessary—Marine Engineering & Shipping Review

Synonyms of salve

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Verb (1)

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Examples of salve in a Sentence

Verb (1) attempting to salve her conscience, she anonymously sent the store a sum of cash sufficient to cover the merchandise she had shoplifted
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Noun
The expectations, the hope is so high for that prescription to be the salve for their ills. — Torie Bosch, STAT, 25 Apr. 2026 Carrick, a deeply reassuring figure as a player, was a salve. — Carl Anka, New York Times, 3 May 2026
Verb
Had the German editor bought the rights to salve his own conscience? — Literary Hub, 13 May 2026 Many want to salve their wounds and prepare for the battles ahead with generational change. — Kevin Rennie, Hartford Courant, 19 July 2025 See All Example Sentences for salve

Word History

Etymology

Noun (1)

Middle English, from Old English sealf; akin to Old High German salba salve, Greek olpē oil flask

Verb (2)

back-formation from salvage

Noun (2)

salvage + -or

First Known Use

Noun (1)

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb (1)

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb (2)

circa 1706, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of salve was before the 12th century

Rhymes for salve

See All Rhymes for salve

Browse Nearby Words

salva veritate
salve
salve bug
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Salve.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/salve. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.

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Kids Definition

salve

1 of 2 noun
ˈsav How to pronounce salve (audio)
ˈsȧv
: a healing ointment

salve

2 of 2 verb
salved; salving
: to ease or soothe with or as if with a salve

Medical Definition

salve

noun
ˈsav How to pronounce salve (audio) ˈsäv How to pronounce salve (audio) ˈsȧv How to pronounce salve (audio)
ˈsalv, 
ˈsälv
: an unctuous adhesive substance for application to wounds or sores

More from Merriam-Webster on salve

Nglish: Translation of salve for Spanish Speakers

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